Another champion in the annals of terrible band names, Bettendorf’s Cuck Dirt seems to be an offshoot of the noise project Voiddweller, whose recordings have recently been reviewed in the Reader. While Voiddweller seems to land closer to the overblown noise-rap chaos of groups such as Death Grips or Clipping., Cuck Dirt throws all caution to the wind and goes full unhinged, manifesting as a collage of momentary news media vocal samples, electronic drums, piercing feedback, and something like home-recorded black metal.

With the special event designed, in part, to raise funds for Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn in the wake of a year of cancelled concerts, Swedish recording sensation Kristian Matsson – a.k.a. The Tallest Man on Earth – headlines the live concert documentary and Q&A The Little Red Barn Show, a virtual November 12 presentation on the challenges and joys of making art and music in 2020.

Delivered as part of the Davenport Public Library's virtual 3rd Thursday at Hoover's Presidential Library & Museum programming, noted area historian Sarah Uthoff will present the November 19 Zoom webinar Laura Ingalls Wilder, sharing insights and imaginings on the beloved pioneer and author best-known for her popular series of Little House on the Prairie children's books.

Lauded by Variety magazine as “an actor gifted not only with exceptional range and depth, but with clear-eyed passion and intelligence,” nationally touring actor, singer, musician, and historic interpreter Darryl Van Leer serves as the latest guest in the University of Dubuque's Live(stream) with Heritage Center series, offering a preview of his stage performance The Norm of Greatness: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and sharing insights about the art and tributes he creates.

To download a PDF of the puzzle, click here.

Is it possible that, in our pandemic era, the cineplex experience won't be saved by young audiences for presumed blockbusters that may or may not open, but rather by dedicated groups of older moviegoers who are happy with simple stories well and elegantly told?

Illinois Democrats were hoping for some big election-night wins last week, but now everything has devolved into finger-pointing chaos. Governor JB Pritzker’s graduated-income tax proposal was in some doubt for a while. The governor’s campaign chose not to advertise early because of the delicacies of politics during a pandemic, so they passed up a chance at total dominance of the playing field during crucial months.

Hosted by the NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Initiative in Rock Island, a celebration of music, art, and community awareness goes virtual in its fourth year with the girlpARTs Gala 2000, an evening filled with music, dance, comedy, fantastic auction items, artistic bodices, and dinner options courtesy of Johnny's Italian Steakhouse.

With the program led by Assistant Curator Vanessa Sage, Davenport's Figge Art Museum will, on November 17, host a special online event for museum members in Virtual Deeper Dive: Mexican Colonial Collection, in which lesser-known works from the Figge's vast collection of Colonial art will be explored through fascinating facts about the paintings and their creators.