2026 Comedy Lineup Announced

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 Midwest and beyond, this year's festival also features nationally recognized comedy concepts, new local partnerships and original collaborations that continue to make comedy a standout part of the Alternating Currents experience.

One of the festival's biggest additions this year is One Liner Madness, the acclaimed bracket-style comedy competition produced by comedian Emily Winter. In this rapid-fire tournament, comedians go head-to-head using only their best original one-liners until a champion is crowned. Winter will also perform as part of this year's stand-up lineup. A limited number of competitor spots remain available, with the full tournament field to be announced ahead of the festival.

Alternating Currents is also proud to partner with ComedySportz Quad Cities to present the Kidz Improv Show. A fixture of the Quad Cities comedy scene for decades, ComedySportz has introduced generations of audiences to the art of improv through its fast-paced, interactive and family-friendly performances. The new partnership brings an exciting comedy experience to younger festivalgoers while celebrating one of the region's most beloved comedy organizations.

Created, produced and hosted by Quad Cities comedian Andrew King, The FAQ!? returns to Alternating Currents with two performances this year. The interactive comedy game show has been described as "an antagonistic Jeopardy!," blending general trivia, audience participation and delightfully absurd challenges, including the now-famous varmint spotting.

In another collaboration that reflects the creative connections fostered through Alternating Currents, returning festival guests Joe Pickett (Found Footage Fest), Scott Miller (Strange Tapes Zine) and Justin Beahm (Reverend Entertainment) will debut VHS in the Midwest. The live screening and comedy show explores the strange, hilarious and unforgettable world of Midwestern VHS through local television oddities, homemade commercials, forgotten instructional videos and unexpected pop culture treasures.

The collaboration has a special Alternating Currents connection. Pickett and Miller first met while participating in last year's festival, where they discovered a shared passion for regional VHS collecting. That friendship sparked the creation of VHS in the Midwest, making this year's performance a fitting debut at the festival where it all began.

"Comedy has become such an important part of the Alternating Currents experience because it creates opportunities for discovery and connection," said Alisha Espey, Festival Director for Alternating Currents. "This year's lineup brings together incredible stand-up comedians, nationally recognized comedy experiences, longtime local favorites and collaborations that simply wouldn't exist without the relationships built through this festival."

2026 Featured Comedians

• Al Nimpson

• Austin Black

• Blake Burkhart

• Brandon Ream

• Chris Calogero

• Chris Schlichting

• Chris Starman

• Dana Ehrmann

• Dannie T.

• Donny Townsend

• Emily Winter

• Heath Thornton

• Ian Pope

• Jake Snell

• James Draper

• Jen Kuhle

• Josh Plant

• Leslie Mitchell

• Luise Noé

• Matthew Jacobsen

• Raegan Niemela

• Ryan Mason

More information is now available on the Lineup and in the Alternating Currents mobile app.

A limited number of competitor spots remain available for the inaugural One Liner Madness tournament. Interested comedians can learn more and apply here.