Lauded by the Los Angeles Times as “a new breed of comic who's making magic cool again for grown-ups,” and by Time Out as an act that “must be seen to be disbelieved,” comedian, TV personality, and famed prestidigitator Justin Willman brings his “Illusionati Tour” to Davenport's Adler Theatre on May 2, Decider adding that the artist will “amaze, delight, and shock you in a way that's sure to have your face sore from smiling.”
A former grade-school teacher who, in his career as a standup, has performed alongside the likes of the Smothers Brothers, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and George Jones, Seattle-based comedian Brad Upton headlines a May 2 standup show at Moline's Sound Conservatory, the popular touring presence famed for such TV specials as I'm Not Done Yet! and Will Be Funny for Money.
An online May 3 program presented by the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries, the Virtual Illinois Libraries Present offering Art & Adventures with Author/Illustrator Dan Santat will treat viewers to the intelligence, creativity, and humor of the New York Times bestselling author, joined in this special conversation about books and art with friend and collaborator Minh Lê.
On May 3 and 4 at the University of Dubuque's Heritage Center, audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of one of the most beloved dance pieces of all time, with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra's and Heartland Ballet's staged production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake delivering themes of love, betrayal, and redemption that have made the work a perennial favorite in the ballet repertoire.
Traveling the country in support of his new comedy series Bad Thoughts that begins Netflix streaming on May 13, popular standup comedian, writer, author, actor, and podcaster Tom Segura brings his "Come Together Tour" to Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK on May 8, the artist currently hosting the Your Mom's House podcast with his wife and fellow comedian Christina Pazsitzky, as well as Two Bears One Cave alongside comedian Bert Kreischer.
As you likely know by now, a federal jury deadlocked last week on all three corruption charges against Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago). U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood declared a mistrial after polling individual jurors and arriving at the conclusion that they could not possibly reach a verdict.
Governor JB Pritzker said last week that the extreme uncertainty with the U.S. government and the international economy might mean that the legislature may have to reconvene to reconfigure the state budget after it adjourns at the end of next month.
You’ve probably read about the Republican Party implosion last week in suburban municipal and township campaigns, particularly in DuPage County.
[The following is an update to the "Rock Island Addresses Concerns Over Development Plan Near Casino" article published March 21, 2025. In the above photo by Jonathan Turner, Jeff Hughbanks (right), who heads Rock Island-based Rymak Construction Group, talks about his $12-million plan to build a new cannabis dispensary and gas station in southwest Rock Island, at the March 21 press conference at city hall. Mike Thoms (left) will end his two terms as mayor having been defeated by 150 votes in the April 1st city wide election by Ashley Harris who won 51 to 49 percent.]
Hailed by the Des Moines Register as a "punchy comedy" with a "tightly coiled script," the zany farce Girls' Weekend makes its Quad Cities debut at Moline's Playcrafters Barn Theatre May 2 through 11, this comic delight the first full-length published play written by Des Moines native Karen Schaeffer.
Based on an unfinished Charles Dickens novel and the winner of five 1985 Tony Awards including Best Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood enjoys a City Circle Theatre Company presentation at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts May 2 through 11, the critically lauded smash famed for being the first Broadway musical to be presented with multiple endings, the finales for each performance determined by audience vote.
M: Corey McKinney inhabited the lead role very effectively throughout, but was especially convincing in portraying Elvis’ halting yet ever-more-confident steps developing his breakthrough sound and achieving popularity.
K: I agree! McKinney did a great job of showing the progression of Elvis’ style.
K: Taking pleasure in the ridiculous is key to making this show work, and Zach Ulmer was clearly having a great time. The audience couldn’t help but follow suit!
M: Absolutely. I’d agree that Ulmer was the highlight of the show’s comedy, including some fun ad-libbed asides – and he has a strong singing voice, to boot.
Has it really been only three-and-a-half years since they won my heart with their first production "Jacques"alope? (Answer: Yes.) The founders of this comedic theatrical ensemble, T Green and Calvin Vo, are serving their latest smörgåsbord – Zooted Suits, a merrie medley of classic-cartoon parodies – at the Black Box Theatre. I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready!
With their album EXTC! released April 4, the recording inspiring Medium to rave that "the clarity of the vocals, upon the addicting and ever-changing thrum of the beat, is a marvel in the production of modern music," EXTC: XTC’s Terry Chambers & Friends headlines an April 30 Redstone Room concert co-presented by Ragged Records and sponsored by Planet 93.9, bringing Chambers, Steve Hampton, and Terry Lines to Davenport on the band's "North American Cushty Tour 2025."
Touring in support of their acclaimed August release The Tower, a recording that delivers what the Austin Chronicle calls "deceptively industrial pop that lures you in with its almost ethereal composition," the trio of frontman Jonathan Horstmann, synth player Kevin D. Naquin, and bass player Paxel Foley bring their post-punk outfit Urban Heat to Davenport's Raccoon Motel on April 30, their single "Have You Ever" a viral TikTok hit that received the 2023 Austin Music Award for Best Song.
Touring in support of his 2023 album debut This Far South, and the youngest son of legendary folk musician John Prine, Tommy Prine performs a special early-evening concert event at Davenport's Raccoon Motel on May 2, Americana UK raving that with his first full-length recordinmg, "Prine has channeled loss, grief, and even humor into a collection of compelling songs that are smartly written and beautiful, both musically and lyrically."
With their 2022 release Color Decay hailed by AllMusic as “a meaty, 12-song set that pairs unrelenting aggression with expansive arrangements and introspective lyrics," the metalcore musicians of The Devil Wears Prada bring their tour to Davenport's Capitol Theatre on May 3, Distorted Sound adding that Color Decay is "another home run from a band who have kept in step with the evolution and growth of the genre in a manner that many others could only dream of."
Celebrating the 38th birthday of Davenport promoter Whitney Joyner, a.k.a. “Whitball,” as well as all Tauruses of the Quad Cities and surrounding areas, the hip-hop and rap party the Second-Annual Ball Bash will be held at Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK on May 3, the exhilarating event hosted by rap star Boosie BadAzz.
Due to the nature of his role, Ben Affleck is never allowed to laugh here. With Jon Bernthal gleefully egging him on, though, you can sense how deeply the actor must want to. Heaven knows my audience, myself included, was laughing.
Going to the cineplex or staying in and streaming this weekend? Every Thursday morning at 8:15 a.m. you can listen to Mike Schulz dish on recent movie releases & talk smack about Hollywood celebs on Planet 93.9 FM with the fabulous Dave & Darren in the Morning team of Dave Levora and Darren Pitra. The morning crew previews upcoming releases, too.
Or you can check the Reader Web site and listen to their latest conversation by the warm glow of your electronic device. Never miss a pithy comment from these three scintillating pundits again.
Thursday, April 24: Previews of The Accountant 2, Until Dawn, The Legend of Ochi, and the 20th-anniversary re-release of Revenge of the Sith, and discussion of The Wedding Banquet and Sinners, the latter possibly Mike's favorite film over the 20-ish years he's been chatting with D&D. If anything tops it this year, it's gonna be a crazy-good movie year.
There's no point in burying the lede on this. Even though it's only April, I can't imagine seeing a more dazzling, thrilling, thunderously satisfying 2025 release than Ryan Coogler's Sinners.
A psychological thriller and cult classic that earned the Directing Award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival, the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay, and the Gotham Open Palm Award, Oscar nominee Darren Aronofsky's feature debut Pi enjoys a special April 30 showing at Rock Island's Rozz-Tox.
Nearly 200 works by gifted student artists will be on display at Rock Island's Quad City Arts Center through May 1 in the expansive 48th High School Art Invitational, a glorious celebration of local talent featuring the Quad Cities’ most promising artists expressing themselves through paintings, drawings, sculpture, paper, recycled materials, and film.
Highlighting the importance of sustainability in the arts and encouraging their audience to see the beauty of Earth’s resources and ecosystem, a trio of Illinois and Iowa talents enjoy a collective exhibition at the Quad City Arts International Airport Gallery from May 2 through June 30, Olson, Stampfli, & Sunderman showcasing a beautiful assemblage of quilted art by Lindsay Olson and Jessie Stampfli and sculpture by Robert Sunderman.
With the exhibition's originator revered for creating Vodou flags known as drapo for more than 35 years, as well as for pushing the boundaries of this traditional Haitian art form, Myrlande Constant: DRAPO will be on display in the Figge At Museum's fourth-floor gallery through May 4, the artist's escalating interest in expansive proportions finding some of the 17 works in the exhibition spanning more than seven feet.
Exploring themes of place and time by highlighting the Earth and capturing fragments of memories in paint, fiber, and clay, a trio of Midwestern artisans enjoy a collective exhibition at Rock Island's Quad City Arts Center from May 9 through June 20, the Brown, Lennox, & Wenthe exhibit boasting Afrofuturist art by Monica Brown, quilted art by Cheryl Lennox, and ceramic sculpture by Elissa Wenthe.
An eagerly awaited springtime event taking place over Mother's Day weekend in Davenport's spacious Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, the Beaux Arts 2025 Spring Fair will treat visitors to an outdoor celebration of visual arts and fine crafts on May 10 and 11, with the annual event featuring food, live music, children's activities, and works for sale by dozens of artists and Midwestern vendors.
You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?)
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