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 a May 2 standup show at Moline's Sound Conservatory, the popular touring presence famed for such TV specials as I'm Not Done Yet! and Will Be Funny for Money.

On May 3 and 4 at the University of Dubuque's Heritage Center, audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of one of the most beloved dance pieces of all time, with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra's and Heartland Ballet's staged production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake delivering themes of love, betrayal, and redemption that have made the work a perennial favorite in the ballet repertoire.

A seasoned comedian, ventriloquist, and musician whose career spans more than three decades and earned him a win on TV's Star Search, touring sensation Taylor Mason brings his act, and his memorable cast of characters, to Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on April 25, this veteran of America’s Got Talent, Dry Bar Comedy, and the Disney Channel enjoying a performance sponsored by Supporters of Foster's Voice and Bridgeway’s Youth Empowerment Services.

A fascinating exploration of both a well-known German-American blacksmith and a revolutionary addition to the transportation industry, Immigrant Innovators: The Fruehauf Trailer Company will be on display at Davenport's German American Heritage Center from March 23 through June 29, the exhibit offering insight into the company’s origins, its development over the decades, and its ultimate downfall after the Fruehauf family’s involvement.