The ’90s, in its sentimentalities and aesthetics, holds a certain hankering for its glossy, bouncy pop music. From Oasis to Weezer, there’s an implicit innocence at odds with an ever-corrupting world. Recreating the sensibilities of this era, Iowa City singer-songwriter Charlie Cacciatore’s solo project Good Morning Midnight is releasing their debut album Basket of Flowers on July 21. CDs are available through Nova Labs, and the Iowa City release show will be September 15 at The Mill.
Paul Osgerby
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘EatChewAlive’ art exhibit takes over RADinc. for the month of July
‘EatChewAlive’ is visual artist John Schlue’s debut exhibition in Iowa City — some 14 years after he graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in studio art. The opening reception will be held at RADinc on Sunday, July 2 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the exhibition will be up at the downtown storefront gallery until Tuesday, July 25.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Girls Rock! Iowa City campers take the stage this Saturday
For one week Girls Rock! Iowa City campers — aged 8 to 16 — have been learning about instruments and marginalized identities in rock and roll. On Saturday, July 1 the campers and their recently formed bands will share their musical creations on the upstairs stage at Blue Moose Tap House. Doors open at 2 p.m., music kicks off at 2:30 p.m. There is a $10 suggested donation, and kids get in free.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The Battle to Heaven: Japan’s MONO to transcend at Gabe’s
Added as part of their three-month North American tour, Japanese gazed-out four-piece MONO will provide an instrumental backdrop for emotional discernment at Gabe’s on Wednesday, June 28. Doors open at 8 p.m., with the music lifting off at 9 p.m. The event is 19 and over. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12; $15 at the door.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Old Thrashers reincarnated for UAY benefit Saturday
Following a hiatus — and after being resuscitated by a new organizer — the annual Old Thrashers event returns, bringing four bands from the 1980s underground scene to Iowa City this Saturday, June 24 at the Trumpet Blossom Cafe to benefit United Action for Youth (UAY).
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Downtown Iowa City testing out open containers with a Saturday block party
In their most ambitious event yet, the Iowa City Downtown District is bringing together dozens of local businesses to throw a get-together spanning seven blocks and the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City this Saturday, June 24. The city will try out a new policy allowing open containers of alcohol within the premises.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Pop-up Iowa City book fair is timed for the solstice
In keeping with the time-honored symbolism of the solstice — the season for ascension in knowledge — the Solstice Book Fair will take over the Iowa City Masonic Building from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on Thursday, June 22.
Posted inAlbum Reviews, Arts & Entertainment
Album Review: Druids — Cycles of Mobeum
Des Moines’ Druids has drastically brought their influences to the forefront on their latest album. ‘Cycles of Mobeum’ (2016) — a 43-minute odyssey charting the journey of the character Warpia on her planet Mobeum — warps and bends between unflinching highlights of aspects from influences such as Mastodon and Iron Maiden, Sleep and Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd.
Posted inCommunity/News
UI professor receives death threats over article on classical art
In an era when alt-right groups have co-opted the images of white, classical statues, a University of Iowa classics professor published articles about classical art undermining those achromatic images that have led to death threats and virulent online commentary.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa Juneteenth celebrations include premiere of ‘Cross-Examined,’ a play about desegregating Post-Emancipation Keokuk
Cross-Examined, a play by University of Iowa MFA playwriting candidate Margot Connolly, will be performed at the Coralville Public Library on Sunday, June 18 at 3 p.m. as well as the Keokuk Public Library on Monday, 19 at 6 p.m, as part of the local Juneteenth commemoration. Both events are free and open to the public.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
RADinc. to host its first dance party
Dance Party! RADinc. — Friday, June 9 at 10 p.m. Iowa City’s storefront pop-up venue will be hosting a dance party open to the public Friday, June 9, starting at 10 p.m. This is the first time the RADinc will be used for a rave — total absorption of hedonism. Admission is $5; the party […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
FilmScene brings the wizardly world of Harry Potter back to the big screen this summer
Starting this week with ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,’ FilmScene will be showing the eight movies in the Potter chronology in succession every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. throughout the summer, as part of The Picture Show family and children’s series.
