Alternating Currents

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Davenport, IA
Alternating Currents

Music. Film. Comedy. Art. A festival built on discovery.
400+ artists & makers.
40+ venues in downtown Davenport, Bettendorf & Rock Island. No ticket required.

Every dollar spent bolsters local economy & supports entrepreneurs. A festival built on discovery. August 14-17, 2025. 400+ artists & makers. 40+ venues in downtown Davenport, Bettendorf & Rock Island. More info: www.alternatingcurrentsqc.com

10/14/2026

📣 Want to be part of Year 10?

Our 2027 Open Call is officially live!

As we head into our 10th year, we’re creating even more ways for people to see, hear, do and discover something new at Alternating Currents.

Music, comedy, visual art and film will continue to be at the heart of the festival, but we’re opening the door to an even broader mix of experiences throughout our downtowns.

Podcasters. Poets + writers. Speakers. Chefs. Makers. Dancers. Health + wellness experiences. Workshops. Interactive projects. And creative ideas we haven’t thought of yet.

Have something that could make people stop, participate, connect, learn, laugh, try something new or experience downtown differently? We want to hear about it.

And if your idea doesn’t fit neatly into a category? Submit it anyway.

⚡ The open call is open to all, with no fee to submit. Submissions will be accepted through Dec. 31, 2026.

Apply here: https://www.jotform.com/form/262784527670164

10/09/2026

YEAR 10 calls for an encore!

As we get ready for Alternating Currents 2027, we want some input.

Who or what have you discovered at AC over the years that you’d love to see again?

Drop your Year 10 comeback picks in the comments. 👇

📅 August 12–15, 2027
📍 Downtown Davenport + Rock Island + Bettendorf

10/05/2026

"We had a great time at AC 2026!"

AC is built around discovery. New artists, new businesses, new corners of the Quad Cities and new reasons to fall in love with the place we call home.

Friends of AC helps make that possible by supporting the artists, stages, production and all the pieces that keep this festival free and accessible to everyone.

If AC gave you a new favorite band, a new favorite place, a reason to laugh, wander, dance or just have a really great weekend, consider becoming a Friend of AC.

❤️ Become a Friend of AC: https://givebutter.com/friends-of-ac

Thank you to Anne & Jay Bryant, founding friends of AC 💛

10/02/2026

"Alternating Currents: Energizing Downtown" has been nominated for a Mid-America Emmy® Award in the Documentary - Cultural category.

Created by the talented Creative Services team at KWQC TV6 News, the documentary captures the energy, creativity and community that make Alternating Currents possible.

We're grateful to the KWQC team for bringing the story of AC to the screen and proud to see the festival recognized at this level. Thank you to every artist, venue, sponsor, business and festivalgoer who helped bring this story to life.

Winners will be announced during the Mid-America EMMY Awards/NATAS ceremony on October 24.

09/23/2026

"Can't wait to see what's in the works for the coming years."

AC is built around discovery. New artists, new businesses, new corners of the Quad Cities and new reasons to fall in love with the place we call home.

Friends of AC helps make that possible by supporting the artists, stages, production and all the pieces that keep this festival free and accessible to everyone.

If AC gave you a new favorite band, a new favorite place, a reason to laugh, wander, dance or just have a really great weekend, consider becoming a Friend of AC.

❤️ Become a Friend of AC: https://givebutter.com/friends-of-ac

Thank you to Marc & Diane Lockner, founding friends of AC 💛

09/21/2026

🔮 Rounding out this year's AC Mural Fest collection is “The Light Within” by Brian Wentworth (WENTPAINT)!

Located at My Crystal Portal in Downtown Bettendorf, The Light Within is inspired by Gaia, the ancient embodiment of Mother Earth, and explores the hidden beauty that exists within all things. The mural depicts a figure emerging from the earth, surrounded by glimpses of the cosmos beyond, symbolizing our connection to nature, one another, and the universe itself. It's a reminder that beauty is not always visible from the surface. Sometimes you have to look within.

Connecticut-based mural artist and illustrator Brian Wentworth, known as WENTPAINT, has spent more than a decade creating large-scale murals across the U.S. and internationally. We're stoked to have his signature style of movement, depth and discovery join the AC mural collection.

📍 My Crystal Portal | 1737 Grant Street, Bettendorf, IA

📸: Brian Wentworth & AJV Original - Wedding & Special Events Photographer

Learn more: https://www.alternatingcurrentsqc.com/post/the-artists-and-murals-behind-ac-2026-mural-fest

09/18/2026

🎨 Introducing “Sibogu: Rock Island” by Brando Punk!

Located at Bent River Brewing Company in Downtown Rock Island, Sibogu: Rock Island features an original character Brando has been drawing for years. Her flowing hair and bold graphic shapes create movement across the nearly 94-foot wall, pulling viewers through the piece while blending influences from illustration, graffiti, comics and graphic design.

A Quad Cities-based artist and founder of Upside Down Owl Studios, Brando is known for bold linework, vibrant color and striking visual storytelling. His larger-than-life mural adds even more creativity and character to Downtown Rock Island’s public art scene.

📍 Bent River Brewing Company | 512 24th Street, Rock Island, IL

📸: Brando Punk & AJV Original - Wedding & Special Events Photographer

Learn more: https://www.alternatingcurrentsqc.com/post/the-artists-and-murals-behind-ac-2026-mural-fest

09/17/2026

Next up from this year’s AC Mural Fest is “Carry Love With You” by Andrey Key Detail 🫟

Located at Ragged Records & Trash Can Annie in Downtown Davenport, this mural encourages viewers to carry love with them wherever they go and let it bloom. It's a reminder that beauty grows wherever we choose to plant it, in the people we meet, the spaces we pass through and the small moments we choose to notice.

Known professionally as Key Detail, Andrey is an internationally recognized muralist whose work can be found across the United States, Europe and Asia. We were thrilled to welcome his creative vision to this year's Mural Fest!

📍Ragged Records/Trash Can Annie | 311 E. 2nd Street

📸: Andrey Key Detail & AJV Original - Wedding & Special Events Photographer

Learn more: https://www.alternatingcurrentsqc.com/post/the-artists-and-murals-behind-ac-2026-mural-fest

09/16/2026

We're so excited to share the final pieces from this year's Mural Fest 🎨

We're kicking things off with "Once Upon Motor Row" by Atlanta Dawn.

Located at Klemme Motorsports in Downtown Davenport, this mural offers a glimpse into the days when 3rd Street was bustling with automobiles, local businesses and a city on the move. Vintage Firestone and Mobil Oil advertisements pay homage to businesses that once called 301 E. 3rd Street home, while layered imagery peels back the past and brings a piece of Davenport's historic Motor Row back to life.

A familiar face to AC Mural Fest, Atlanta served as a lead artist during the festival's early years. We were thrilled to welcome her back this year and add her own artwork to the growing Mural Fest collection.

📍 Klemme Motorsports | 301 E. 3rd Street, Davenport

📸: Atlanta Dawn & AJV Original - Wedding & Special Events Photographer

Learn more: https://www.alternatingcurrentsqc.com/post/the-artists-and-murals-behind-ac-2026-mural-fest

09/15/2026

Our Founding Friends list is growing! 💛

When we launched Friends of AC this summer, we created a new way for individuals to directly support Alternating Currents. Today is the final day to receive the one-time Founding Friend designation with a gift of $100 or more.

Friends of AC will continue year-round but Founding Friend recognition is only available during this initial launch.

Thank you to everyone who has joined us so far. We’re proud to have your names permanently connected to AC as our very first Friends.

There’s still time to add yours.
➡️ https://givebutter.com/friends-of-ac

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http://alternatingcurrentsqc.com/

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