Festival welcomes Emily Winter's One Liner Madness, partners with ComedySportz Quad Cities and expands a weekend of stand-up, improv and unforgettable live experiences Alternating Currents is bringing an exciting mix of stand-up, improv and one-of-a-kind comedy experiences to the Quad Cities with the announcement of its 2026 comedy programming for the festival held August 13-16 in Downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island. With a lineup of comedians from across the Midwe

Think March Madness, but with jokes instead of basketball. Created and hosted by comedian Emily Winter, One-Liner Madness pits 64 comedians against each other in a bracket-style comedy showdown. Contestants face off one joke at a time, with audience voting determining who advances through the bracket. Whether you're a seasoned comic or trying stand-up for the first time, we're looking for funny people with great one-liners. Winner receives a trophy, cash prize, and eternal br

Join the Alternating Currents Creative Crew, a collaborative opportunity for photographers, content creators and festival ambassadors to showcase their work, connect with fellow creatives and help tell the story of the festival. Whether you're capturing professional photos or sharing your experience on social media, you'll play an important role in documenting one of the Quad Cities' most creative weekends. Application Deadline: Friday, July 10 If selected, you will be notifi

In just 8 weeks, August 13 -16, Alternating Currents will bring over 200 performances to our downtown Quad Cities. From music and comedy to art and film, it’s an immersive cultural experience unique to our region. And when we say it’s a downtown adventure – we mean it.

Calling all artists, illustrators and designers! Alternating Currents is seeking up to three artists to contribute original designs to the official 2026 merchandise collection. Selected artists will receive an honorarium, earn royalties on merchandise sales and have their work featured as part of the festival's official merchandise lineup. Selected artwork will be featured on limited-edition festival apparel and sold online and during the festival. This is an opportunity to s

Independent films from across the country will show free screening at The Last Picture House August 13–16 The Alternating Currents Film Fest has announced its 2026 Official Selections, featuring a diverse lineup of 28 independent original films spanning drama, horror, comedy, experimental and feature categories. Free screenings will take place at The Last Picture House in Downtown Davenport during Alternating Currents August 13-16, 2026. The Last Picture House, co-founded

Alternating Currents (AC) and Quad City Arts are now accepting qualifications from artists for the 2026 Alternating Currents Mural Fest, a public art initiative bringing new large-scale murals to downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island. Selected artists or artist teams will receive a $5,000 stipend to create original murals throughout the Quad Cities. Murals will be installed between August 10–17, 2026. Artists will be matched with one of several mural locations throug

Free multi-city Quad Cities festival returns August 13–16 with performances across more than 50 venues and public spaces Alternating Currents has officially released the first wave of musical artists for the 2026 festival, offering an early look at the performers set to energize Downtown Davenport, Rock Island and Bettendorf August 13–16. This initial drop features more than 65 artists spanning indie rock, punk, hip hop, funk, blues, jazz, metal and genre-bending experiment

Alternating Currents is seeking property owners in downtown Davenport, Bettendorf, and Rock Island interested in donating wall space for the 2026 Alternating Currents Mural Fest. Each year, Alternating Currents brings large-scale public art to downtown spaces, transforming blank walls into vibrant murals created by professional artists. If you have an empty, visible wall that could become a lasting piece of public art, we’d love to hear from you. 👉 Apply to donate a wall:...

Alternating Currents is back for another year of discovery, creativity and downtown energy. We’re officially opening applications for venues interested in being part of the 2026 festival, happening August 13–16, 2026. Every year, AC transforms downtown Davenport, Bettendorf, and Rock Island into a walkable celebration of music, film, comedy and visual art. More than 40 venues come alive with hundreds of performances, bringing thousands of people through our downtown districts

Submissions are open for Alternating Currents 2026! We’re looking for musicians, comedians, visual artists, muralists, filmmakers and performers who bring creativity and energy to downtown Davenport, Rock Island, and Bettendorf. Alternating Currents will take place August 13–16, 2026. Applications are open through December 31, 2025, and it’s completely free to apply. Accepted artists receive paid opportunities to perform or exhibit during the festival. Apply here -->...

The story of the Quad Cities is one of creativity, resilience and community pride. Nowhere is that more visible than during Alternating...

This year’s Alternating Currents Mural Fest brought five incredible new works of art to Downtown Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island...

Share your experience from Alternating Currents 2025 and help us keep the momentum going!

Alternating Currents returns August 14–17, transforming Downtown Davenport, Rock Island and Bettendorf into a multi-city, bi-state celebration of music, comedy, film and art - solidifying the Quad Cities as the creative capital of the Midwest.

Alternating Currents and Quad City Arts are proud to announce the artists selected for this year’s AC Mural Fest for five locations in...

For the third consecutive year, Downtown Bettendorf will come alive with music, food and public art as part of this year’s Alternating...

Alternating Currents is just around the corner (August 14–17), and we’re inviting you to be part of the experience in a new way. This...

For the fifth consecutive year, Downtown Rock Island is hosting Alternating Currents events with a diverse mix of free, all-ages programs...

Expanded Film Fest Programming, 60+ Vendor Made Market, and More Announced The 2025 Alternating Currents festival schedule is...