• Chris Kattan, March 12

    Beloved for his 1996 to 2003 tenure on Saturday Night Live, where he was best-known for characters including Mango, Mr Peepers, and one of the Butabi brothers opposite Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan performs as the latest guest in the "Laugh QC" Thursday Night Comedy Series held in the Mississippi Hall of the Davenport RiverCenter, the comedian's March 12 engagement treating fans to a night (at the Roxbury) with one of SNL's longest-serving cast members.

  • “The Founding Mothers of America,” March 12

    A fascinating illustrated lecture focusing on the remarkable women who had a first-hand view of our nation's creation, The Founding Mothers of America will be presented at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch on March 12, with presenter and touring performer Laura Keyes sharing insightful tales of her subjects' history, bravery, and surprising legacies.

  • “Five Nights at Freddy's” Pizza Party, March 16

    Treating kids to an evening of video games, yummy food, and a bunch of maniacal (but somehow lovable) animatronics, the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch will, on March 16, welcome guests to the Five Nights at Freddy's Pizza Party, in which youths can enjoy free pizza while playing video games on the big screen.

  • Virtual Illinois Libraries Present: “Beyond the Page with Percival Everett,” March 19

    With the event's subject a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner whose 2001 novel Erasure was adapted into Cord Jefferson's Oscar-winning 2023 comedy American Fiction, Beyond the Page with Percival Everett will enjoy a virtual March 19 presentation in an event hosted by Illinois Libraries Present, the author's prize-winning James from 2024 hailed by the New York Times as "Everett's most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."

  • “Indigenous Roots of Mexican Americans,” through March 22

    An engaging and fascinating exhibit developed by the Davenport venue's curatorial staff, the Putnam Museum & Science Center's Indigenous Roots of Mexican Americans will, through March 22, treat guests to artifacts and textiles from areas in Mexico that are housed together alongside some 250,000 objects from the Putnam’s collections.

  • Progressive Democrats' and Neocon Republicans' Stars Align Again

    President Trump’s February 19, 2026 Executive Order 14387, under the Defense Production Act of 1950, to ensure a stable and adequate supply of U.S.-produced Glyphosate also provides a liability shield for Bayer, a company that deliberately poisons human beings. It is unconscionable no matter the inconvenience in switching to safer, saner farming protocols, such as regenerative farming and crop rotation.

  • Jay Strickland (1952-2026) leading a paper peace crane workshop.
    Jay R. Strickland, RIP (1952-2026)

    Jay R. Strickland, 73, of Rock Island, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Unity Point Health, Rock Island. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and announced at RCReader.com/y/jaystrickland. Memorials can be made to the Figge Art Museum, Davenport.

  • Keith E. Meyer, RIP (1941-2026)
    Keith E. Meyer, RIP (1941-2026)

    Keith E. Meyer, 84, formerly a longtime resident of Davenport, died Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with family at his side. Keith was known for many things in his life including a peaceful protester and activist city watchdog who eventually was elected a Davenport City Alderman. Keith’s passions in life were easily identifiable when visiting his old house at 1012 Marquette Street. Visitors would be greeted by big black labs, or huskies, and offered a sample of his wine or homemade biscotti.

  •  Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed pipeline route. (Main image courtesy Summit Carbon Solutions; seal courtesy State of Iowa)
    Iowa CO2 Pipeline Bills Are Faux Property Rights Virtue Signaling

    The Senate and House bills for the use of eminent domain for the Co2 pipeline, now called hazardous liquid pipeline, have become the same as they move into discussion by our legislators. We must review SF2067 and HF2104 to understand how to argue against this legislation.

  • Frank Klipsch III, RIP (1949-2026)

    Relief and Opportunity Lessons During UncertaintyI’m standing on a sidewalk at the sideways bend of our great river – a perfect place to reflect on the legacy of my father, former YMCA CEO and Davenport mayor Frank Klipsch III.

  • “Honky Tonk Angels,” March 11 through April 25

    Praised by WhartonPlazaTheatre.com for its "rousing musical numbers, hilarious social commentary, and heavenly harmony," the feel-good, foot-stomping, country-music sensation Honky Tonk Angels enjoys a March 11 through April 25 run at Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, RochesterMedia.com adding, "To paraphrase a well-known movie quote: Is this heaven? No. It’s Honky Tonk Angels. Welcome to heaven on earth.”

  • “Company,” March 12 through 15

    A groundbreaking achievement whose original Broadway production received six Tony Awards and whose most recent New York presentation won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, composer Stephen Sondheim's and author George Furth's Company enjoys a March 12 through 16 run in Augustana College's Brunner Theatre Center, the legendary work a resonant dramatic comedy by an artist the New York Times calls “one of the most sophisticated composers ever to write Broadway musicals.”

  • “Primary Trust,” February 27 through March 15

    The recipient of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama that, according to Intermission magazine, "cuts to the heart with a simply constructed story, understated humor, and dialogue unburdened by purple prose," playwright Eboni Booth's Primary Trust makes its Iowa City debut at Riverside Theatre February 27 through March 15, the work also hailed by The Daily Beast as "beautifully written" and "a 95-minute, intermissionless, buffed-to-gleaming jewel.”

  • Local Theatre Auditions/Calls for Entry
    Local Theatre Auditions/Calls for Entry

    Updated: Sunday, March 8

  • River Cities' Reader Theatre Reviews: July 2000 to the Present

    Reviews by Rochelle Arnold, Jeff Ashcraft, Patricia Baugh-Riechers, Audra Beals, Pamela Briggs, Dee Canfield, Madeline Dudziak, Kim Eastland, Emily Heninger, Heather Herkelman, Kitty (née Israel) Hooker, Mischa Hooker, Paula Jolly, Victoria Navarro, Roger Pavey Jr., Alexander Richardson, Mark Ruebling, Mike Schulz, Joy Thompson, Oz Torres, Brent Tubbs, Jill Pearson Walsh, and Thom White.

  • Bailey Zimmerman, March 13

    Touring in support of his 2025 album Different Night Same Rodeo, a recording Country Central praised for the artist's "ability to sound authentic when singing about any of the themes he touches on," chart-topping country rocker Bailey Zimmer headlines a March 13 concert event at Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK, his latest also hailed by Entertainment Focus as "a confident, complex and rewarding album that cements Zimmerman's place as one of country's most interesting young voices."

  • “Are You Ready for It? A Taylor Experience,” March 13

    An award-nominated production featuring show-stopping costume changes, dynamic choreography, a live band, immersive multimedia, and unforgettable sing-along moments spanning every era, Are You Ready for It? A Taylor Experience will re-create the magic of Taylor Swift at Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on March 13, performing all the hits, in a proudly G-rated production, from albums ranging from her self-titled debut to The Life of a Showgirl.

  • Chained Up Alice: Alice in Chains Tribute, March 14

    Composed of vocalist/acoustic guitarist Emily Cooper, vocalist/guitarist Dan Spannraft, bass player Natalee Algozino, and drummer Jason DesBiens, the rockers of Chained Up Alice: Alice in Chains Tribute headline a March 14 engagement at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the Chicago musicians dedicated to performing songs from both eras of Alice in Chains' career, delivering hits, classic fan favorites, and deep cuts in a high-energy, unforgettable live performance.

  • Foghat and Head East, March 14

    Two legendary classic-rock bands with more than a half-century of professional performance apiece will team up for one unforgettable night at the Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on March 14, with the Davenport venue proud to host Foghat ridin’ strong on their “Slow Ride” 50th Anniversary tour, and joined by the authentic, full-vocal, good-time rock harmonies of Head East.

  • Descendents, March 14

    With voicalist Milo Aukerman, guitarist Stephen Egerton, drummer Bill Stevenson, and bass player Karl Alvarez having stayed with the outfit for a full 40 years in a row, the punk rockers of Descendents bring their national tour to Davenport's Capitol Theatre on March 14, the band itself having been it existence since 1977, and the group's biggest hits including 1996's Everything Sucks, 2004' Cool to Be You, and 2016's chart-topping Hypercaffium Spazzinate.

  • Slit, Slash, It Ain't No Kind of Bash: “Scream VII,” “Pillion,” and “EPIC: Elvis Presley in Concert”

    As a slasher flick with comedic leanings, director/co-writer Kevin Williamson's Scream 7 is pretty weak. As a half-dozenth sequel so steeped in callbacks and meta-commentary that nostalgia is practically its plot, it's exhausting. And as a statement on big-studio moviegoing practices and habits with a quarter of the 21st century behind us, it's depressing as hell.

  • Mike Schulz with Dave & Darren on Planet 93.9 FM

    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, March 5: Discussion of Scream VII, Pillion, and EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concerts, previews of Hoppers, The Bride!, Protector, and the Oscar-nominated shorts at the Last Picture House, and an even longer, more shameless plug for Mike's run in God of Carnage at Moline's Playcrafters Barn Theatre. Dave saw it, and has a few things to say -- blessedly, all good things.

  • Seven-Course Melee: “How to Make a Killing” and “I Can Only Imagine 2”

    In this dark comedy thriller, and in a change of pace for the performer, Margaret Qualley turns out not to be an on-screen firecracker. She's more like a countdown clock, the type that requires action heroes to cut either the blue or red wire before everything gets blown to bits

  • Moors and More: “'Wuthering Heights,'” “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die,” “Crime 101,” “Cold Storage,” “The Moment,” and “GOAT”

    Because the experience felt so unusual, I actually checked my archives to make sure, and it was true: This past Thursday-through-Saturday marked the first time since pre-COVID that I viewed six new big-screen releases over the course of three days.

  • Now Playing: Friday, February 27, through Thursday, March 5

    Now playing at area theaters.

Art

  • Art Conversation Talk, March 12

    Held in conjunction with the current exhibit The Golden Age: Featuring Northern European Works from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, Davenport's Figge Art Museum will host a special Art Conservation Talk on March 12, the event featuring a program conservator visiting the Quad Cities from the National Gallery of Art.

  • “Laber & Mullins,” through March 20

    With the works of both Iowa-based artists boasting vivid colors and expressive storytelling qualities, the dual exhibition Laber & Mullins will be on display in Rock Island's Quad City Arts Center through March 20, this showcase of local talent boasting evocative, thrilling paintings by Phillip Laber and Rachael Mullins.

  • “Rocks, Minerals, & Gems: The Olsen Collection,” February 24 through March 20

    Amethyst cathedrals, diamonds, Lake Superior agates, opals, geodes, and additionally beautiful objects will be on view at the University of Dubuque's Bisignano Art Gallery through March 20, with works in the fascinating exhibition Rocks, Minerals, & Gems: The Olsen Collection spanning five-plus decades of curiosity, craftsmanship, and global exploration.

  • “Langer, Lesperance, & Schroeder,” March 4 through April 27

    A wide range of disparate mediums and gorgeous artworks will be on display at the Quad City Arts International Airport Gallery from March 4 through April 27, with art lovers area-wide invited to view new metal and fiber sculpture by Amanda Langer, encaustics by Cindy Lesperance, and Japanese tiles by Nick Schroeder in the exhibit Langer, Lesperance, & Schroeder.

  • “Young Artists at the Figge,” through May 24

    Always an eagerly awaited series at the Figge Art Museum, the latest incarnation of Young Artists at the Figge will be on display from through May 24, with the Davenport venue celebrating the accomplishments of budding creative talents whose works will be showcased in a continuing series of individual exhibitions.