Designed to bring some serious swing into the summer, the John Deere Classic returns to Silvis' TPC at Deere Run from July 1 through 5, with this professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, in its 55th year, enjoying coverage on the Golf Channel and CBS Sports, and featuring youth activities, clinics, concert events with international superstars, and a climactic awards presentation.
Delivering a blend of local history, environmental issues, education, entertainment, and fresh air, Davenport's River Action continues its series of outdoor presentations in the annual Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks – weekly "Explore the River Series" programs that, from July 7 through August 1, will address such topics as ferry boats, pollinators, Silvis' Hero Street, and noted area jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke.
Making its eagerly awaited July 9 through 11 return, the Walcott Truckers Jamboree at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop will, in its 46th year, showcase more than 175 exhibits, displays, games, cookouts, fireworks, local and national country and rock musicians, and even a beauty contest for trucks in a celebration of America's big rigs and those who drive them.
Founded by Chicago-based comic Orly KG in 2022, and utilizing a mighty showcase of hilarious comics from its growing roster of more than 80 standup who are also mothers, the Bad Momz of Comedy tour comes to Iowa and Illinois, this collection of gifted funnywomen performing at Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on July 10 and Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on July 11.
Hailed by Texas Monthly for his edgy jokes' "blithe, understated lack of self-consciousness ... that elevate them beyond mere gross-out gags," actor, writer, and featured Saturday Night Live cast member Andrew Dismukes headlines a July 12 show at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, his film credits including the upcoming Super Troopers 3 and Call Me Brother, the latter of which earned him a Special Jury Award for Performance at the Florida Film Festival.
The news earlier this month that the Illinois AFL-CIO has “deferred” all decisions on legislative and statewide endorsements in the upcoming fall election generated quite a bit of headlines.
In response to a question last week from my associate Isabel Miller, Governor JB Pritzker said he didn’t think a group of progressive legislators could pass their progressive revenue bills through both chambers by the end of the spring session.
Governor JB Pritzker last week squarely placed the responsibility for passing a Bears stadium bill on the team itself, and had some unsolicited lobbying advice for the Bears as he attempted to brush off his own session attendance issues.
Six days before the last day of the spring state legislative session, Senator Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, gave me two big reasons why it was so difficult to push a Bears stadium bill across the finish line. Cunningham, as you know, is the chief sponsor of the Senate’s Bears bill.
The 21st century is silly with a vast wealth of data for doing reliable research. Using advanced computer technology to access troves of rich data relative to climate, as well as volumes of historic climate data, we should be able to accurately draw useful conclusions on climate change. So where's the beef?
One of American theatre's most exciting, acclaimed, and tune-filled entertainments receives a Timber Lake Playhouse staging during the July 3 through 12 Mt. Carroll run of Cabaret, the legendary Kander & Ebb musical that earned a combined 12 Tony Awards for Broadway's 1966 original and 1998 revival, and that was adapted into a 1972 film classic that received eight Oscars including Best Actress for Liza Minnelli and Best Director for Bob Fosse.
One of the greatest and most beloved musicals in the history of American theatre opens Countryside Community Theatre's 2026 summer season at Eldridge's North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium, with Guys & Dolls running July 3 through 12, and treating audiences to a nine-time Tony Award winner that the New York Times called “the show that defines Broadway dazzle.”
With the New York Times lauding the show as "85 minutes of sweetness, humor, and energetic high spirits," the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical Seussical continues the summer season at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre July 2 through 12, the musical's recreation of beloved storybook characters and situations brought to life by Tony-winning composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
At Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse from July 8 through September 5, family audiences are invited to follow the yellow brick road toward a magical stage treat in the theatre's new production of The Wizard of Oz, a delightful stage adaptation of the L. Frank Baum tale boasting the beloved musical score from the MGM film and unforgettable songs including "If I Only Had a Brain," "Ding Dong, the Witch Is Dead," and, of course, the iconic "Over the Rainbow."
With its author Joe Simonelli praised by the Asbury Park Press as a playwright who "really knows his characters" and "writes in a way which really gets to people," the ethereal comedy Heaven Help Me enjoys a July 9 through 19 run at Geneseo's Richmond Hill Barn Theatre, Bloomberg Radio's Joe Franklin adding to the praise by calling the show "a touching comedy/fantasy that displays both wit and charm."
A country-music superstar whose long list of accomplishments includes eight chart-topping albums, more than two dozen chart-topping singles, and recognition as the most awarded country artist of all time – all since her American Idol debut in 2005 – Carrie Underwood is the fourth of July's special guest in the John Deere Classic's "Concerts on the Course" series, Rolling Stone hailing her as "the female vocalist of her generation in any genre."
With AllMusic hailing the group's most recent album Barbara for "songs that are as vulnerable and deeply introspective as they are radio-friendly," the chart-topping musicians of Old Dominion perform the closing July 5 event in the John Deere Classic's "Concerts on the Course" series, the popular touring ensemble's credits including four Academy of Country Music Awards and nine top-10 Billboard singles over the past decade.
With Still Listening magazine hailing the artist as "unafraid to bend genres and explore the depths of her emotions," indie-pop singer/songwriter Julianna Joy headlines a July 5 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, Illustrate magazine adding to the raves by saying that the Midwestern talent "captures the ache of emotional distance with striking precision."
A dynamic lineup of nationally acclaimed artists and rising stars will take center stage at the 2026 Iowa City Jazz Festival, presented by GreenState Credit Union from July 3 through 5 in downtown Iowa City. This free, three-day celebration features performances on multiple stages, culinary delights, artist booths, and family-friendly activities, all located adjacent to the University of Iowa Pentacrest on Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue.
Lauded by the Charleston City Paper as its "Singer/Songwriter of the Year," and praised for "deftly blending an array of influences that nod toward crooning pop-rock in the vein of Chris Isaak or Roy Orbison, the theatrical roots-rock excess of Bruce Springsteen, and the dark post-punk romanticism of Echo & the Bunnymen," Johnny Delaware performs a solo concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel on July 6, the artist also famed for his tenures with the alt-rockers of Susto and The Artisanals.
Given how bored I've been at so many cinematic superhero origin stories over the decades, I feel silly for actually feeling and writing this. But I really wish director Craig Gillespie's Supergirl had merely been a superhero origin story.
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, July 2: Discussion of Supergirl and Jackass: Best & Last; previews of Young Washington and the extended-footage Backrooms; a preview and scoop review of Minions & Monsters; and a reminder that Jaws is playing on the Last Picture House rooftop this weekend. Speilberg's finest thriller with Red, White, & Boom fireworks as backdrop?! Now that's a birthday party.
Thirty-one years after the franchise's debut, Disney/Pixar's latest animated comedy adventure is unusual in at least one regard: It's the first Toy Story that might be more fun to think about, and argue about, than actually watch.
Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day is many things:but most of all, it's an excellent self-test determining just how jaded you've become.
With the artists encouraging their audience to pause and find hidden details in their work., two Midwestern talents are showcasing pieces at the Quad City Arts International Airport Garry through August 31, the Bowden & Shultz-Hetrick exhibit hosting abstract paintings by Peotone, Illinois' James Bowden and fused-glass art by Cedar Rapids' Barbara Shultz-Hetrick.
Purchased in honor of the Figge Art Museum's late museum trustee, board president, and museum supporter Tom Gildehaus, the visitor favorite Corn Zone returns to the Davenport venue July 5 through September 27, its “corn field” installation of oversize blown-glass ears carefully suspended from the museum's ceiling with rope, and designed to explore the fragility of glass, the story of corn, and contemporary issues in farming.
Timed to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States' Declaration of Independence, the Figge Art Museum exhibition Connie & Michael Roberts: Portrait of America will be on display in the Davenport venue's Lewis Gallery July 5 through January 3, this arresting collection of works inviting audiences to reflect on the individuals who helped shape our nation’s history.
In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Davenport's Figge Art Museum is hosting American Art talks throughout the month of July, and on Thursday the 9th, guests are invited to the John Deere Auditorium to hear from Chicago artist Sarah Ann Weber, whose work Their Perfume Lost is featured in the A Golden Age for Whom? exhibition currently on view in the Mary Waterman Gildehaus Community Gallery.
In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Davenport's Figge Art Museum is hosting American Art talks throughout the month of July, and on Thursday the 16th, guests are invited to hear from artist Connie Roberts of the new exhibition Connie & Michael Roberts: Portrait of America, Connie noted for bridging the realms of fine art and folk art, and for tackling many subjects with sharp wit and restrained humor.
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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