DAVENPORT, Iowa — The 2024 Alternating Currents festival runs from Thursday, August 15, to Sunday, August 18 in Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island.
The bi-state festival will feature hundreds of live music, film, comedy and art performances across more than 40 stages. Most of those performances will be free to attend.
Since 2017, Alternating Currents has been a chance for audiences to discover emerging talent throughout music and film. Performances will take place at iconic venues along both sides of the river. Festival goers are encouraged to download the free Alternating Currents app to customize their personal festival schedule.
A casting producer from America's Got Talent will also be scouting talent in the Quad Cities during the festival in downtown Davenport, Rock Island and Bettendorf from August 15-18.
You can check out the full lineup here. Some of the top acts include:
Comedy
- On the AC lineup for the first time, a headlining comedy show with Greg Warren from St. Louis will kick off the event at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, Capitol Theatre, Davenport.
- Catch nine more comedy shows throughout the festival weekend featuring 33 local and touring comedians in Bettendorf at Adventurous Brewing; and in Davenport at City Loafers and The Lemonade Stand.
Live Music
- Country blues, folk, Americana guitarist Justin Golden from Richmond, VA will perform at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island.
- Indie rock musician Elizabeth Moen from Chicago will perform at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15, Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island.
- Indie and alternative musicians Hembree from Los Angeles will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, Raccoon Motel, Davenport.
- Indie pop musician OTNES will perform Friday, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m., Kaiserslatern Square and 9:30 p.m., Armored Gardens, Davenport.
- Folk and Americana musicians Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves will perform Friday, Aug. 16 at 4:30 p.m., Ruby’s and 8 p.m. Stompbox, Davenport.
- Attendees will bust a move to a variety of music as they use their headphones to switch from one DJ to the next at Silent Disco at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, Urban Reserve rooftop, Rock Island.
Film
- See 26 films in various genres including student films, documentaries, short narratives, experimental and feature films throughout the weekend, The Last Picture House, Davenport.
Art
- At Mural Fest presented by TBK Bank, watch a community mural come to life all weekend on Armored Gardens exterior fence, corner of Pershing Ave. and 3rd St., Davenport.
- Made Market QC, a handmade and vintage maker’s market, will showcase 100+ vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. Aug. 17, covering two blocks on East 2nd St. between Perry St. and Pershing Ave., Davenport
- Enter the Park Art Show featuring Regan Hatfield, Trent Hatfield and the artist known as Geofferson will be held 5-10:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 16 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug.17, Kaiserslautern Square, Davenport
- Kill Pop Artist Market featuring paintings, sculptures, jewelry, live art, food and music will be held all weekend, 411 N. Pershing Ave, Davenport.
Other
- Rumble in Rocktown returns with an action-packed lineup of SCW professional wrestling talent 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17 and 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 18, Wake Brewing, Rock Island.
- The Idea Factory returns to the AC lineup with three panel discussions and interactive forums on the history of tattoo art, the myths of burlesque and the love of whiskey the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 17, The Last Picture House rooftop, Davenport.
- Express your creativity through chalk art, painting, dance and more at START Drop-In Creation Station noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 18, Skeleton Key Art & Antiques, Rock Island.
- Quad Cities’ Got Talent starts at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 16, Redstone Room, Davenport. A talent showcase with NBC America’s Got Talent producer. This special showcase is your chance to witness live performances from a range of talented individuals.
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