Thursday Night Groove Brings Music to the Rock Island Riverfront

There's nothing quite like relaxing back in your chair as the sun sets along the Rock Island riverfront. It only gets better with good music, good food, and good company. Thursday Night Groove has all that and more! Hosted by the Rock Island Parks and Recreation department, the concert series is a community event that's fun for all ages.

Good music
Bands from around the Quad Cities will share their talents. They cover a wide mix of genres including rock, funk, soul, R&B and blues. 
They will play from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
September 3rd - Soul Storm
September 10th - Phyllis and the Sharks
September 17th - Class of '82
September 24 - Minus Six
October 1st - The Stone Flowers

Good food
The Rock Island Parks Concession Stand offers grill items, Happy Joe's Pizza, popcorn, and beer from Bent River Brewing Company. 

Good company
Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs and sit a respectable distance apart. While the dance floor with be closed, dancing is welcome at your spot in the park. Dan Gleason, Special Events & Fundraising Manager, explains: “We ask all patrons to be smart, wear masks, practice social distancing, and to keep seating grouped with those in your immediate household. With these measures in place, we can provide a safe and enjoyable outdoor music experience.”

“The concerts put on by the park district have always been one of our favorite family nights. We have some great bands in the Quad Cities. We love sitting at dusk and enjoying the music,” says the Gustafson family.

“I usually go with my sister and friends. Often if we have family visiting, they want to go and then it turns into a full family event. We listen to music, dance, and have a good time. It's an easy place to connect with family and friends and be social together. A lot of the same people attend week to week so that's fun, too. Be sure to bring bug spray and a lawn chair,” shares life-long Rock Island resident Deb Bernauer. 

Details
Thursday Night Groove begins at 6:00 p.m. and the opening of concessions. Music is played from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The concerts are free. The events are sponsored by UnityPoint Heath Trinity, Rock Island Happy Joe's, River Music Experience, Bent River Brewing Company, and Friendship Manor.
They are hosted on the Ellis Kell Stage at Schwiebert Riverfront Park at 1st Avenue and 18th Street in Rock Island.
Parking is available at the 17th Street/1st Avenue lot after 6:00 p.m. and throughout downtown.

For more information contact Rock Island Parks and Recreation at (309) 732-7275

Written by Meghan Cooley

Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. She also does copy editing and writes for the Quad City Moms Blog. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.