Enliven the QC Arts Help Define, Experience the Creative Capital of the Midwest
BY JONATHAN TURNER
T he arts are so prevalent and thriving in the Quad Cities, you’d only have time to sample a fraction of what’s happening. And the bustling, passionate scene – live music, theater, visual art, and dance – has grown in recent years. These creative pursuits are vital to any community and help define what’s great about it. Arts strengthen the local economy, bring people together for unforgettable and inspiring experiences, boost mental health, drive tourism, attract new residents and businesses, and improve academic performance. The QC is known for its welcoming, small-town vibe, and amenities of much larger cities, without the traffic or high prices for performances and art exhibitions. The cultural community not only has new venues but has also improved in its goal to be accessible and
inclusive. The amount of free and low-cost arts options is mind-boggling. Arts are key to a sense of space and feeling connected. Each year, the QC offers a vast menu of opportunities that make life-changing memories. The 110-year-old QC Symphony Orchestra alone presents a dazzling array of concerts annually – including classical masterworks, pops, and chamber music. In 2025, highlights include “Omar’s Journey” (excerpts from a 2023 Pulitzer-winning opera Feb. 1-2) and “Rhapsody in Blue” (April 5-6). Opera Quad Cities will mount the classic “Die Fledermaus” in June in Bettendorf. The Deanery School of Music (in a beautiful 1930 Davenport building) has a new “Building Bridges” concert series, which blends classical and other musical genres.
20 VisitQuadCities.com
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