Angie Toomsen, director of Riverside Theatre’s production of The Comedy of Errors, brilliantly brought together two things that theater historians might compare to orange juice and toothpaste: 1970s country and Shakespeare. Southern drawls mixed with Shakespearean monologues made the show memorable and even more hilarious, as if the bard himself had written the show with […]
Jessica Abdoney
Posted inCommunity/News
‘If we can help one kid figure it out, that’s good’: Cedar Rapids nonprofit wants to help young adults as they enter the workforce
The saying “early bird gets the worm” serves as the namesake for Early Bird CR, a nonprofit with a mission of helping young adults figure out what career to pursue, gain experience and make adulting a little less daunting. Founder and entrepreneur Sabrina Collins-Atkinson was motivated to start Early Bird CR after talking with parents […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Two Iowa teachers reflect on a year of pandemic schooling
“Create a connection with the student [and] the work will come naturally, no matter how unusual the virtual format.” That’s the advice Jefferson High School teacher Joe Link would have given himself in March 2020. More than one year ago, Iowa schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting education and changing how teachers interacted […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Artists encouraged to submit ideas for mural inspired by history of New Bohemia district
The Czech Village/New Bohemia District is seeking ideas for a mural project that would encapsulate the legacy and culture of the New Bohemia neighborhood. Artists have until the end of the month to submit their proposals. The mural will be painted on the Ideal Social Hall’s west wall that faces the Bridge of Lions. The […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids is looking to bring back the city’s tree canopy ‘in the right way’
Officials involved with efforts to restore the tree canopy in Cedar Rapids hope a reforestation plan will serve as a “greenprint to maintain momentum” as tree replanting continues throughout the next decade. The Cedar Rapids City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Trees Forever last Tuesday, authorizing the local nonprofit to create a reforestation […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Five Iowans share how forgiveness of student loan debt would impact them
About 420,000 Iowans owed a combined total of $12.8 billion in student debt, as of September 2020. The average amount for Iowans with student loan debt was $30,500. People in Iowa are more likely to have student loan debt but owe “significantly less on average” compared to individuals in other states, according to data and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Holiday lights bring ‘the joy and magic’ of the season to downtown Cedar Rapids
Co-founder and artistic director of Revival Theatre Company Brian Glick is combining nostalgia with the glitz of Chicago and New York City for this year’s holiday decorations in downtown Cedar Rapids. This is Glick’s second year decorating downtown. He described it as “quite the undertaking at times” but added that because he’s been able to […]
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
Q&A: Two Iowa nurses share challenges, experiences of working during COVID-19 pandemic
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa hospitals have been overwhelmed, especially in recent months as hospitalizations due to the virus continued to reach record-breaking numbers. The dire situation facing Iowa’s hospitals and healthcare workers has been featured prominently in recent stories in The Atlantic and ProPublica. “In a lot of ways, Iowa is serving as the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
A Czech dressmaker sent her designs to the U.S. before she died in the Holocaust. Her dresses are now on display at NCSML
A traveling exhibit now on display at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) is recognizing talent and creativity that was lost during the Holocaust. “Stitching History through the Holocaust” showcases eight dresses designed by Hedwig (Hedy) Strnad, a dressmaker who lived in Prague with her husband Paul during the Nazi invasion. In […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘It’s a means to an end’: CR City Councilmember Ashley Vanorny shares experience in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial
Cedar Rapids City Councilmember Ashley Vanorny said her decision to participate in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial was “a very calculated risk but one that was good and necessary to take.” Vanorny is one of 270 volunteers enrolled at the University of Iowa’s study site. Overall, there are more than 40,000 people participating in the international […]
Posted inCommunity/News
NewBo City Market hosting first Black-owned business guest vendor market this Saturday
NewBo City Market is celebrating Black-owned businesses in Cedar Rapids with two upcoming guest vendor markets. The first shopping event is on Saturday, Oct. 24, and the second event will be on Saturday, Nov. 14. Both events will be held at the market, 1100 3rd St SE, and run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Amy Friedl Stoner returns to Theatre Cedar Rapids for a virtual performance
It was about eight months since Amy Friedl Stoner last performed on stage. This is the longest the cabaret artist has ever gone without audiences enjoying her work — but that’s soon about to change. Theatre Cedar Rapids is hosting Stoner for a virtual cabaret performance that will be streamed on Oct. 23 and 24. […]
