Lauded by the New York Times as "invigoratingly funny," touring comedian Myq Kaplan brings his acclaimed standup act to Davenport's Renwick Mansion on January 5, his local appearance the latest act in the venue's popular Tomfoolery on Tremont series hosted by beloved comic Chris Schlichting.

Its subject a multifaceted talent who has been recognized 13 times with the James Beard Foundation Award for excellence in cuisine, culinary writing, and culinary education in the United States, the virtual Illinois Libraries Present program Chicago Pizza: Past, Present, & Future with Steve Dolinsky will be hosted by the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries on January 9, Dolinsky a reporter for NBC 5 Chicago, where his “Food Guy” segments air weekly.

A touring variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring circus performances, A Magical Cirque Christmas jumps, leaps, and flies into Davenport's Adler Theatre on December 23, inviting audiences to be dazzled, enchanted, and filled with holiday cheer as they witness the incredible talents of world-class entertainers performing to favorite seasonal music.

A group of dedicated student dancers will bring their talents to Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on December 19 and 20 when Monmouth, Illinois' Dancer's Studio presents two performances of The Nutcracker, the timeless holiday ballet by composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

On December 14 and 15, one of the Quad Cities' most adored holiday traditions returns to Davenport's Adler Theatre when the professional talents of Ballet Quad Cities perform Tchaikovsky's holiday dance classic The Nutcracker. This eagerly awaited family experience boasts original choreography by Artistic Director Courtney Lyon, live musical accompaniment by Orchestra Iowa, a cast of 60, and the return of popular guest artist Domingo Rubio, the longtime portrayer of the company's dancing Dracula.

On December 17, a legendary comedian and one of his most iconic entertainments will be celebrated at Davenport's Adler Theatre in the touring sensation A Live Conversation with Chevy Chase, with the famed comedy star of Saturday Night Live, Community, and Fletch sharing stories and taking part in a Q&A session alongside a 35th-anniversary screening of his beloved holiday film National lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

A two-evening celebration of the Swedish tradition based on the legend of Saint Lucia, Queen of Light, the 2024 Lucia Nights Festival in Bishop Hill will, on December 13 and 14, deliver a seasonal treat featuring live music, a barn dance, a chili supper, a tree-lighting ceremony, carriage rides, and more.

Wednesday, December 4 will be a big day for Dr. Kit Evans-Ford and the many people served by her life-changing nonprofit organizations.

Lauded by Broadway World as an adults-only entertainment that sends "audience members off with a warm smile and probably exhausted from laughter," author Matthew Lombardo's one-woman comedy sensation Who's Holiday enjoys a six-show run at Rock Island's Circa '21 Speakeasy, this spiky December 5 through 20 treat also hailed by the New York Times as "a raunchy riff on a yuletide tale that dirties up Christmas while ultimately reveling in its spirit."

With her most recent booth Guts a number-one bestseller on lists for the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly, an award-winning author and cartoonist serves as the virtual guest in The Magic of Raina Telgemeier, a December 10 event hosted by Illinois Libraries Present and presented by the East Moline and Silvis Public Libraries.

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