With the Midwest Writing Center's literary magazine THE ATLAS celebrating the publication of its 20th volume, a release party, open-mic night, and DJ set honoring the Young Emerging Writers (YEW) program will be held at Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox on August 14, the evening boasting readings from YEW alumni and copies of new and back issues of THE ATLAS available for purchase.

With the program offered as part of the Davenport venue's popular "Kaffee und Kuchen" series, Iowa City-based artists, collectors, and educators David and Sarojini Johnson engage in an August 10 gallery talk on their current German American Heritage Center exhibit, the couple having spent decades sharing and practicing the art of printmaking, each with their own unique vision and inspiration.

Taking place in three cities, two states, and more than 40 area locales, the popular summertime traveling festival Alternating Currents returns to Davenport, Bettendorf, and Rock Island from August 14 through 17 – a Quad Cities celebration of music, film, comedy, and the arts boasting more than 200 music performances, comedy sets, film screenings, local art displays, and family activities.

Returning to the Quad Cities after her wildly popular performance in last summer's touring hit Have a Good Laugh, Tanya Lewis hosts the Christian Comedy Family Event at Davenport's Adler Theatre on August 2, this showcase for Lewis' divine all-ages humor also boasting sets by Jeremy Nunes, Varonica T. Mitchell, and Crystal P.