One of American history's most famous Iowans serves as the subject for a special live solo performance on August 14 when Davenport's German American Heritage Center presents Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel, author/star Tom Mulligan's exploration into the life of the Anamosa native best-known for painting the 1930 masterpiece American Gothic.

Held in honor of the City of Moline's Sesquicentennial, Moline Preservation Society Board member Brandon Tidwell will, on August 3, treat Moline Public Library patrons to three-quarters of the century worth of local history, sharing a fascinating tale of entrepreneurship and growth titled Molette: The American Dream Realized in Moline – Celebrating 75 years of Affordable Housing.

Delivering a blend of local history, environmental issues, education, entertainment, and fresh air, Davenport's River Action is again presenting a series of outdoor presentations in the final month of the annual Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks: weekly programs that, from August 3 through September 1, will address such topics as improvements to the Lock & Dam 15, green rooftops, the area's German-American heritage, and jazz masters Bix Beiderbecke and Louie Bellson.

On July 26 and 27, the Davenport Public Library will host a pair of virtual author visits with rising literary stars whose works have been selected as part of the State Library of Iowa's All Iowa Reads program, with Kate O'Shaughnessy discussing her writing process and critically acclaimed The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane on Tuesday, and Rachel Mans McKenny, on Wednesday, providing a deep dive into her career and chosen title The Butterfly Effect.