On April 15, the laughs at Davenport's Adler Theatre will be multiplied by four when the venue hosts the touring sensation Comedy Big Shots, a night of hilarity boasting sets by People's Choice Award nominee Thea Vidale, Night Court's Marsha Warfield, Living Single's John Henton, and former Quad Cities resident and national comedy sensation Tammy Pascatelli.

A native of Zion, Illinois, whose touring act was deemed “Unbelievable!” by USA Today, master illusionist Bill Blagg brings his his astonishing and hilarious prestidigitation to Davenport's Adler Theatre in April 14's The Magic of Bill Blagg Live!, delighting crowds with the sleight-of-hand and audience rapport that led the Chicago Tribune to call the show “a side-splitting spectacular.”

Presented on April 20 as part of the Davenport Public Library's 3rd Thursday at Hoover's Presidential Library & Museum series, the virtual program An Audio-Visual Potpourri will find Lynn Smith – the audio-visual archivist at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum – showcasing a variety of favorite still images from the venue's collection, sharing Hoover home movies and newsreels, and pointing out a few unusual items from the Hoover archives.

Since their live debut last summer, Holy Smokes have left a trail of destruction, ruined lives, and controversy across the Quad Cities. Self-described as “improv, but cool,” the comedy troupe have built a reputation for their anarchic live shows, leaving a trail of smashed props, broken bones, pig masks, and endless drama. They will stoop to any level of degradation in search of laughs and attention.

A gifted and familiar film presence famed for roles in such seminal cinematic works as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Heat, Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse, and the From Dusk Til Dawn series, the star of Machete takes part in the virtual presentation Danny Trejo Talks Tacos, Hollywood, & Redemption, an April 4 event offered by Illinois Libraries Present and co-hosted by the Rock Island and Moline Public Libraries.

Offering a presentation in the Archway Reading and Lecture Series, award-winning poets and fellowship recipients Chessy Normile and Steven Espada Dawson will speak at the University of Dubuque on April 3, the thoughtful and arresting punlic event sponsored by UD’s Department of English and UD’s Office of Academic Affairs.

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Davenport Public Library's Eastern Avenue Branch will host a special reading with acclaimed local author Emily Kingery, her April 6 reading featuring selections from the St. Ambrose University professor's debut poetry chapbook Invasives.

Lauded by Midwest Writing Center founder and executive director Ryan Collins as "vivid in both its danger and humor," author and St. Ambrose University professor Emily Kingery's new chapbook Invasives will enjoy a reading and release party at Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox, the March 31 event also featuring readings by Kingery's fellow poets Melissa Estes, Lexi Birks, and Lola Nakashima Brooke.

On March 29, the Eastern Branch of the Davenport Public Library invites patrons to join the Civil Air Patrol in recounting its history in the Quad Cities and nationally in the presentation Civil Air Patrol Lecture Series: United States Air Force @ 75, an examination of some of the organization's most significant accomplishments in celebration of its 75th year.

A delightful evening of laughter, music, and support is sure to be delivered in the April 1 fundraiser hosted by Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities, with Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center housing bestselling author and Impractical Jokers comedian James "Murr" Murray and the gifted musicians of the Quad Cities' Soul Storm in the second-annual Live from QC … It's Saturday Nite!

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