Polka-DOTober

This October, AAC will transform its Over-the-Rhine campus into a destination for BLINK 2026 with Polka-DOTober, a four-day and four-night celebration of art, light, music, performance, and community.

From October 8–11th, the AAC building and Jackson Street will be a living canvas filled with large-scale 3D projection mapping, professional and student-created light sculptures, DJs and live music, dance performances, fire performers, LED performance art, exhibitions, hands-on community activities, and more. AAC students are creating illuminated sculptures for the event, performing with LED wings and other light-based works, and offering glow-in-the-dark face painting for BLINK visitors. Developed by AAC students, faculty, and staff, Polka-DOTober extends the Art Academy beyond its walls and brings creative experimentation directly into the streets of Over-the-Rhine.

Full Details 

Event Schedule

Thursday, October 8

7:30-8 p.m. Dance Flash Fusion

8–9:30 p.m. DJ BOSS LADY

9:30–11 p.m. DJ Chizzo fo Rizzo

Friday, October 9

7:30–8 p.m. Dance Flash Fusion | Fire Performance: Gia Bolton

8–9 p.m. DJ Sabastooge| Fire Performance: Rachel Glover

9–10 p.m. DJ X-ian | Fire Performance: Ariana Rinehart

10–11 p.m. DJ Chizzo fo Rizzo | Fire Performance: Gabe Ford

Saturday, October 10

1-3 p.m. Chalk Art + Hula Hoop Jam

2–3 p.m. Marshmallow the skunk from the Cincinnati Zoo visits AAC

7:30–8 p.m. Dance Fusion

7-8 p.m. Fire Performance: Ariana Rinehart

8–9 p.m. Fire Performance: Gabe Ford

7–11 p.m. STINKSTOCK

Sunday, October 11

7:30–8 p.m. Dance Flash Fusion

7–8 p.m. DJ IROH

8–11 p.m. DJ Marble Garden