A delightful multimedia show composed of 12 short films by Georges Méliès, a pioneer of the cinema and wizard of special effects, the popular touring production Right in the Eye lands at Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on February 1, the event's three virtuoso musicians playing some 50 different instruments – including rare and unique ones – and breathing fresh impetus into these cinematographic gems.

Lauded by St. Louis' STL.com for his "quick wit and fast thinking," and beloved for his YouTube channel on which he posts content and occasionally streams a show titled Dog Vlog, standup comedian Drew Lynch returns to Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on January 30, his credits including a recurring role in the final season of IFC's hit series Maron and several appearances on TBS' Conan.

An award-winning hypnotist and mentalist who has become one of the most sought-after entertainers in United States, Brian Ambus brings Miracles of the Mind to Maquoketa's Ohnward Fine Arts Center on January 24, inviting crowds to marvel as Imbus astounds with uncanny abilities to influence thoughts, predict the future, and create an unforgettable journey into the mysteries of the human psyche.

A half-hour episode of the lauded documentary series Wild Hope exploring how the return of adorable yet landscape-changing creatures brings chaos, controversy, and unique benefits to England, Beaver Fever serves as the third presentation in the 2026 QC Environmental Film Series hosted by River Action, the doc and bonus short Over & Under: Wildlife Crossing screening at St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center on February 1.

Remember the national uproar last November when US Representative Chuy Garcia bowed out of his re-election race at the last minute and quietly passed petitions to put his chief of staff Patty Garcia on the ballot? We saw a lesser, but still quite palpable, mass grumbling when state Rep Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, did the same that month for his chief of staff Justin Cochran, who was subsequently appointed to the House by the district’s Democratic township committeepersons after Moylan resigned.

This year, One Battle After Another and Sinners appear poised to not only tie but update the most-Oscar-nods-ever stat … and their tallies might not even end at 15.

Touring in support of their 2025 Richmond's Most Wanted that Holler Country insisted "isn’t a one-and-done listening experience" given that "each listen explores something new and beautiful in their finely crafted music," the talents of The Jack Wharff Band headline a January 24 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, Holler County adding that last summer's recording "is probably one of the best debut EPs to be released in a long while, and we know how steep the competition is in country music right now."

Touring in support of their most recent album Thank You Brother Bill: A Tribute to Bill Withers, the blues and soul artists of Kevin Burt & Big Medicine play a special free concert at Rock Island's RIBCO on January 24, this acclaimed recording praised by Rock & Blues Muse as a work that “hits the highest marks on all counts – phrasing, soulful delivery, musical accompaniment, and genuine conviction.”

Performing a glorious repertoire of works by composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude, Alfred V. Fedak, David German, David Hurd, Jean Langlais, and Josef Rheinberg, University of Dubuque organist and professor of music Dr. Charles Barland will deliver a faculty organ recital of varied works on January 24, the event demonstrating the many varieties of sound and color that are possible on the Heritage Center's magnificent John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ.