What’s an Ecdysiast & Why does it matter?

Danielle Colby to speak at TEDXDAVENPORT 2026 at THE LASt Picture House, AUGUST 12th

Danielle Colby of American Pickers & owner of Ecdysiast Arts Museum in Downtown Davenport sits down with Kyle Kiel and Morgan Ottier of KWQC’s QUAD CITIES LIVE to talk about the upcoming TEDXDAVENPORT.

Danielle Colby's TEDxDavenport Talk:
What is an Ecdysiast and why does it matter?

Ecdysiast Arts Museum's very own Danielle Colby will be speaking at TEDxDavenport about the Ecdysiast Arts Museum and why our work is important.

Event Details:
August 12, 2026
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
At The Last Picture House
325 East 2nd Street, Davenport, IA 52801

Tickets available Tedxdavenport.com

Who is Danielle Colby?

Danielle Colby is a multifaceted television personality, burlesque entertainer, entrepreneur, and passionate collector, best known for her role on the History's hit reality series, American Pickers. Danielle is also the founder and co-owner of Downtown Davenport's Ecdysiast Arts Museum: a museum, bar, venue and community space dedicated to celebrating the Ecdysiast Arts and it's history.

Born on December 3, 1975, in Davenport, Iowa, Danielle grew up surrounded by her family's love for antiques and unique items. This early exposure sparked her lifelong interest in collecting and preserving history through artifacts.

Before her television debut, Danielle pursued various artistic and performance-based interests. She founded, produced and performed in a burlesque troupe based out of the Iowa and Illinois collective Mississippi River towns of the Quad Cities, which helped her develop a strong stage presence and a keen sense of storytelling.

Danielle continues to travel throughout the world performing Burlesque and studying it's rich history.

Danielle Colby Speaker at TEDxDavenport 2026.