In 2010, an off-Broadway flop surpassed the classic, whimsical — royalty-free — Shakespeare comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as the most-performed show on U.S. high school stages. The play? John Cariani’s 2004 series of vignettes, ‘Almost, Maine.’
Genevieve Trainor
Genevieve Trainor lives in Iowa City, Iowa. Passions include heavy music, hoppy beer, and hidden rooms.
Posted inFeatures
In with the new: Explore unusual ways to ring in 2018
If you’re ready to eschew the raucous rituals in favor of simply letting go, these nontraditional New Year’s Eve options might suit you well.
Posted inCommunity/News
Celebrating the jólabókaflóð tradition this year? Here’s how!
Jólabókaflóð, roughly translated as “Yule book flood” and pronounced (again, roughly) /yo-la-bok-a-flot/, originated in Iceland during World War II. Paper, unlike many other commodities, was not rationed during the war, making books a perfect option for gift exchanges.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Spotlight on female filmmakers with FilmScene’s Women’s March
Since 1987, Congress has designated March of each year as Women’s History Month. FilmScene announced today that they are joining in that great tradition in 2018, dedicating the month of March to women filmmakers.
Posted inCommunity/News
Five questions with a sometimes Santa
Here in the U.S., far from Santa’s home in the North Pole, countless helpers don the quintessential red suit and white beard and embody the spirit of Christmas for kids of all ages. Cedar Rapids’ Chad Canfield has been Santa for five years. “When I put on the suit, I become Santa,” he said. “That’s it.”
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Headliner announcement: Floodwater Comedy Festival is back for 2018
The Floodwater Comedy Festival announced the lineup today for their next fest, coming up March 1-3, 2018. Leading the pack is comedian Carmen Lynch. She will start off the festival with a show at The Mill on Thursday, March 1. PREACH Improv follows with a Friday performance at the Blue Moose, and the festival returns to The Mill on Saturday, March 2 with Jo Firestone.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Combined Efforts Theatre presents ‘Shell Shocked,’ a new play by Janet Schlapkohl
A new play opening this Friday at Combined Efforts Theatre was the result of a talk that theatre founder Janet Schlapkohl presented on shell shock to the Society of Medicine in Iowa City. Combined Efforts — an inclusive theatre for actors of all developmental abilities — opens ‘Shell Shocked’ on Friday, Dec. 15 and it runs through the weekend.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Mission Creek 2018: Built to Spill, Wye Oak, Jamila Woods and more
As Iowa City’s Mission Creek Festival hits lucky number 13 this year, they’re pulling out all the stops with a wide range of artists across genres and disciplines offering something for everyone.
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Ryan Phelan — Memories
Cedar Rapids musician Ryan Phelan has been a mainstay on the close-knit music scene there for years, from beloved jam band Dr. Z’s Experiment to fresh effort Young the Lion. So it’s no surprise that on Memories, his solo effort released last month, he draws on the wide array of Cedar Rapids talent for an album filled with guest appearances, varied genres and local hat tips.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
SCWPro’s ladder match redux comes to Wildwood Smokehouse and Saloon
SCWPro, a wrestling promotion out of Scott County, returns for its second bout in Iowa City this weekend, at the Wildwood Smokehouse and Saloon. Tickets are $10. The 14-year-old promotion has previously featured such notables as WWE Superstar Seth Rollins, who founded the associated wrestling academy the Brave and the Bold.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Musician Fiona Grey likes her pop dirty, with a theatrical flair
Chicago native Fiona Grey is excited to be back in the Midwest. She’s bounced between Los Angeles and Chicago for several years now, and her music career is based in LA. But, “I still consider myself a Midwestern girl,” she said in a recent conversation with Little Village. Grey’s current tour brings her through Iowa City on Thursday, Nov. 30 with a 7 p.m. show at the Yacht Club. Tickets are $8.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Lip Sync for Learning raises funds for Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation
Cedar Rapids school officials and community members will channel their inner rock stars on Friday at the second annual Lip Sync for Learning, a fundraiser for the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation (CRCSF). Tickets are $50.
