Four years ago, I mistakenly believed candidate Bruce Rauner would take a page from Governor Rod Blagojevich’s 2014 reelection playbook and immediately bury Governor Pat Quinn under a mountain of negative advertising. Instead, Rauner waited until July 11 to air his first general-election TV ad.

So what’s it gonna be this year?

In the 10th incarnation of the venue's latest group exhibit, on display from May 3 through August 12, the 2018 College Invitational at the Figge will boast two- and three-dimensional works from no less than 56 student artists, as professors from eight area colleges and universities were tasked with selecting the top works from their schools for this year’s exhibition.

Delivering what PopWrapped.com described as “a polished sound filled with strong vocals and fantastic harmonizing made all the better with vivid lyrics and powerful instrumentation,” the folk and Americana musicians of The Way Down Wanderers headline a May 4 Redstone Room concert, demonstrating why BestNewBands.com wrote, “Their live show is full of energy and just a damn good time.”

Writing in Guitar Player Magazine, reviewer Michael Molenda stated that blues artist Dave Fields delivers “an exhilarating concert experience if you ever get a chance to see [him] live.” And on May 6, blues fans and Moline Viking Club patrons will get that chance in a special event presented by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS), one that will show why Fields was praised by Elmore magazine as “a superb guitarist with an over-the-top, inecndiary style.”

Performing what the Chicago Tribune called “down and dirty, from-the-gut blues,” guitarist, vocalist, and Chicago Blues Hall of Fame member Wayne Baker Brooks plays Davenport's Redstone Room on May 5, the artist described by Blues Revue magazine as “a fully developed talent and a maverick whose distinct brand of blues incorporates elements of rock, R&B, funk, and even a trace of hip-hop.”

Two artists from Iowa and one from Illinois will fill the Quad City International Airport Gallery with paintings, stoneware, and photography when Quad City Arts presents May 2 through July 1 exhibitions by Michael Ryan of Cedar Rapids, Brian Roberts of Pella, and Trent Foltz of Geneseo.

To download a PDF of the puzzle, click here.

With the popularity of television series such as Downton Abbey and The Crown, contemporary audiences have become intrigued by, even addicted to, European aristocracy. I can’t help but think that in comparison to the many works of William Shakespeare, our obsession with binge-worthy TV must be like attending live theatre over 400 years ago. Take, for example, the twisted path of dysfunction, poor leadership, and random acts of stupidity as illustrated in Shakespeare’s tug-of-war tale King John.

Several months ago, House Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief of staff Tim Mapes made copies of candidate nominating petitions for what appeared to be every single candidate in the state, regardless of party or office sought. Madigan’s spokesperson was mum when asked why.

It turns out that a database was constructed of the names of all the petition circulators who worked during the primary.