Co-hosted by the Midwest Writing Center and taking place at Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox on August 3, a popular literary event returns with a musical theme in the SPECTRA Reading Series' Books & Beats edition, a celebration of Chicago house music as well as the release of Chicago House Music: Culture & Community (forthcoming from Belt Publishing on August 13) by award-winning writer Marguerite L. Harrold.

Scottish bagpipe marches and rollicking Irish pub tunes will fill Rock Island’s Riverfront Grille on July 20 as part of the fourth-annual Celtic Night Out, a celebration of heritage sponsored by the Scottish American Society of the Quad Cities, and boasting performances by the Black Hawk Pipes & Drums and the musicians of east/central Iowa's Blame Not the Bard.

Returning to the area for its incredible 104th year, an eagerly awaited six-day festival boasting games, competitions, vendors, and concert sets by more than two dozen national and local acts returns with the 2024 Mississippi Valley Fair, its July 30 through August 4 engagement at Davenport's Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds boasting, as always, grandstand performances by chart-toppers, multi-platinum sellers, and multiple-award winners.

Returning to downtown Davenport for its incredible 50th year, the Quad-City Times Bix 7 will again find runners and walkers taking on a seven-mile foot race alongside live bands and cheering crowds, the July 27 event famed for being the largest non-marathon race in the Midwest, having captured the imaginations of thousands upon thousands of enthusiasts from both the United States and countries around the globe.

Presented on July 28 as the latest program in the German American Heritage Center's popular "Kaffee und Kuchen" series, Quad Cities Beer: A History will find authors Michael McCarty and Kristen DeMarr celebrating the heady heritage of the region, with patrons invited to purchase a copy of their local-history book before or after the event and have it signed by the authors.

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 two July 18 performances at Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Rhythm Room, the popular touring presence famed for such TV specials as I'm Not Done Yet! and Will Be Funny for Money.

Five days of outdoor fun will be on hand when East Moline's Rock Island Country Fairgrounds hosts the annual Rock Island County Fair July 16 through 20, offering patrons mornings, afternoons, and evenings filled with carnival rides, games, food vendors, animal shows, racing tournaments, 4-H events, live music performances, and exciting happenings scheduled for the nights' grandstand entertainment.

Presented as the latest event in the German American Heritage Center's popular “Kaffee und Kuchen” series, a little-considered genre of artwork will enjoy a healthy exploration by Katherine Hamilton-Smith in The Happy Invention: History & Significance of Picture Postcards, the July 14 discussion that offers a fascinating piece of cultural history that found its beginnings in Illinois.

A former Mayor of Moline now beloved for his delightful series of picture books starring a hand-drawn version of his own dog, local author Allen McCaulley will visit the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch on July 16, sharing tales (or "tails") of what inspired him to be a writer, as well as his series of stories starring the wonderful Whimsical Max.

One of the most-watched comedians on YouTube with more than a billion views and in excess of 25 million fans across social media, Gabriel Iglesias brings his signature comic stylings to Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center for two July 7 performances, the comedian having the distinct honor of being one of few to headline and sell-out Madison Square Garden in New York, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

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