River Cities' Reader

MINIONS & MONSTERS Films designed as “love letters” to the movies have been around nearly as long as movies themselves. In truth, there have been so many of these things – 2022 found eventual Oscar nominees The Fabelmans, Empire of Light, and Babylon released over a span of four weeks – that I'm kinda longing for a “Dear John letter” to the movies, just for variety's sake.

The classic musical Guys & Dolls premiered on Broadway in 1950, winning five Tony awards including Best Musical. Frank Loesser wrote the music and lyrics, and Jo Swerling the book, rewritten by Abe Burrows. Swerling, among others, co-wrote It’s a Wonderful Life, as well as other screenplays. He just wasn’t fluent in Runyonese. Huh? Wildly popular journalist and short-story writer Damon Runyon infused real street dialects with polite, roundabout expressions for comic effect.

About a week after the state budget passed both chambers in the dark of night, Attorney General Kwame Raoul spoke to the City Club of Chicago to complain that his budget was cut by $10 million. “For every dollar of General Revenue Fund spending on the attorney general’s office, we return $21.

Ryan Scoble and Emily Winn in Seussical the Musical One time, near Pittsburgh, Farther than far Lived a coal-fired towboat. Her name was Omar. Through many adventures Omar found her way, And now she’s a showboat In Clinton, I - A. She’s hosted a musical More than one time. This one’s called Seussical … .

When I entered the Timber Lake Playhouse for its July 3 opening night of Cabaret and saw the stage draped with a gold foil fringe curtain and framed in marquee bulbs with a glowing red “KIT KAT KLUB” sign, the atmosphere felt equal parts seductive, artificial, and just a little bit unsettling. Directed by Christian Fleming, this Kander & Ebb musical classic is set in 1930s Berlin, where the Weimar Republic has begun to fracture under the pressure of fascism.

Through Monday, August 31 Quad City Arts International Airport Gallery, 2200 69th Avenue, Moline IL 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.

DAVENPORT, IOWA (July 2, 2026) — The City of Davenport filed a joint professional statement regarding notice of settlement concerning David Ezra Sidran’s pending lawsuit against the city, originally set for trial today, July 2, 2026.

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.

DES MOINES, IOWA (July 1, 2026) — Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced that since January, she has traveled to meet with Iowans in all 99 counties, wrapping up yesterday with meetings in Black Hawk, Grundy, and Jasper counties. These meetings across the state consisted of roundtable discussions, business tours, and conversations with community members. “As Attorney General, it is my responsibility to serve Iowans in every corner of our state,” said AG Brenna Bird.

DES MOINES, IOWA (July 1, 2026) — The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors has awarded more than $1.1 million in annual federal Housing Tax Credits and $500,000 in State HOME funds to support the redevelopment of the former Lincoln Elementary School in Fort Madison into thirty affordable rental homes for seniors. The tax credit award is expected to generate more than $8.7 million in private equity.