Returning to Iowa City's Riverside Theatre with her first solo show in years, area favorite Megan Gogerty – a co-star in last spring's The Lifespan of a Fact – performs her self-written autobiographical play Fair State from January 22 through February 1, this debuting dramatic-comedy monologue production designed by Chris Rich and stage managed by Meenakshi Chinmai.

As has become a common ritual, the first weekend of the new year brought with it a low-budget horror movie. Unlike releases of the M3GAN/Night Swim variety, however, this most recent release doesn't appear all that interested in being a horror movie – which is largely to its credit.

With the virtual program boasting an interview with the bestselling author of six books including his most recent, Pulitzer Prize-winning King: A Life, the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries join Illinois Libraries Present in hosting Bringing History to Life with Jonathan Eig, this January 13 event finding the author in conversation with The Interview Show's Mark Bazer.

With the event held in honor of the Roman Catholic priest, calligrapher, and longtime St. Ambrose University instructor born on January 4, 1906, the Davenport Public Library's Main Branch will host its Edward Catich Birthday Celebration on January 10, treating visitors to a presentation and art demonstration with Paul Herrera at 10 a.m., plus a calligraphy workshop with Amy Nielsen at 11 a.m.

On January 9, three touring tribute acts will deliver one exhilarating night of country hits when East Moline venue The Rust Belt hosts its co-headlining concert with Tennessee Whiskey: A Tribute to Chris Stapleton, The Ultimate Eric Church Experience, and Bell Bottom Revival: Lainey Wilson Tribute, a celebration of the Nashville-based singer/songwriters and their chart-topping, award-winning, multi-platinum-selling discographies.

With the exhibition's trio of artists three hoping that viewers will take some time to look for joy in their work and enjoy a diversion from the tension happening around us, Mutschler, Quick, & Westphal will be on display at the Quad City Arts International Airport Gallery through March 2, the showcase of Midwestern talent featuring photos by Pete Mutschler, folded paper by Rebecca Quick, and serigraphs by Keosha Westphal.

Hen’s teeth are rare enough. In painting, great colorists are even rarer. Kristin Quinn, is one of them.  She is now featured in a solo exhibit at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, with three dozen oil on masonite panel paintings and five dozen mixed media paper collages.

An intimate evening of gorgeous classical music will be hosted by Davenport's First Presbyterian Church on January 10, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra showcasing its principal oboe player in Up Close with Andy Parker, a night of lilting and energetic compositions with Parker accompanied on piano by frequent QCSO guest performer Marian Lee.

With Music Taster's Choice labeling the musician “one of the top 10 guitarists in the world,” the acclaimed blues rocker Anthony Gomes returns to Davenport's Redstone Room on January 9 in support of his 2025 album Praise the Loud, the acclaimed recording that Blues Rock Review called "an electrifying experience delivered with copious amounts of energy, virtuosity, feel, and swagger."