A Dubuque native who enjoys bringing comfort, healing, and honesty to those in need. Melissa Culbertson - better known by her stage moniker Melissa the Medium - will speak to and with audience members at Maquoketa;'s Ohnward Fine Arts Center on October 21, the professional counselor beloved for employing her Christian background as guidance while she delivers messages from the spirit world.

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Had I gone by the sudden chilly weather, or the title of the play itself, I would have assumed I was on my way to a night of frights at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre. Despite its name and October debut, however, there were no scares to be had on Friday – unless, that is, you jump a little at the sight of the word “layoffs.” Skeleton Crew, written by Dominique Morisseau and directed here by Marquita Reynolds, is a solid stage experience and worth seeing.

I sent a top Democratic strategist who I respect a copy of the Venezuelan migrant-related poll I posted for my subscribers last week. Among other things, the M3 Strategies poll of 659 likely Chicago voters found that pluralities of likely Chicago voters said they opposed “migrants being housed by the city of Chicago” (49-46), while also saying it’s time to end Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city (46-39).

With the exhibition's creator having led University of Dubuque students through the history of western Europe on art and culture adventures for the past 23 years, the director of the Bisignano Art Gallery enjoys a of showcase of in the venue's Bagatelle: Recent Drawings by Alan Garfield, this beautiful collection of works on display through October 27.

In past Octobers over the years, the professional dancers of Ballet Quad Cities have treated audiences to different takes on Dracula, a disco-themed Halloween party, and even, in 2015, an original murder mystery. But the company's fans will be getting an entire smorgasbord of hauntingly beautiful vignettes in this year's Ghost Stories, with the menu for the October 13 and 14 performances at Moline's Spotlight Theatre including werewolves, spirits, a famous horseman without a head, and bewitching women whose own menu consists of human flesh. Yes, it's suitable for kids.

One of the most internationally popular and successful groups of the 21st century will make their long-awaited debut at Davenport's Adler Theatre on October 18 when Celtic Thunder presents their stage spectacular Odyssey, a fascinating exploration of Irish music and culture firmly grounded in the ensemble's impressive history while ambitiously forging new paths.

Globally touring sensations who have routinely sold out international theatres and concert halls since their 1999 debut, the talents of MANIA: The ABBA Tribute bring their stage spectacle back to Davenport's Adler Theatre on October 19, thrilling patrons with such iconic pop anthems and familiar Mamma Mia! tunes as “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Take a Chance on Me.”

Performing an eagerly anticipated concert return at East Moline venue The Rust Belt, the Midwestern pop-rockers of the Pork Tornadoes will deliver an eclectic assortment of hits on October 14, their energetic repertoire ranging from Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, and One Direction all the way to Kings of Leon, The Killers, Coolio, and Third Eye Blind.