Brick walls, industrial piping and stamped metal bar backing greet you when you enter Red Vespa in Solon. The vibe of the place is chic, cozy rather than cramped, with an open kitchen that lends a comforting transparency to the inner workings of the pizzeria. The telltale aromas of tomato and mozzarella mingling with basil […]
Sarah Schreiner
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Raise a cheer for ICCT’s ‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Johnson County Fairgrounds — through Sept. 18 In one of my favorite television shows, a seasoned director is waxing poetic about doing Hamlet when he says, “My reason may very well be hanging by a thread. Well, my friends, it is my belief that the best things happen just […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
TCR’s ‘American Idiot’ kicks off the 4th of July weekend with a bang
Green Day’s American Idiot Theatre Cedar Rapids — through July 23 American Idiot is an ambitious show — a rock musical, with a script I’ll address later, that is a non-stop belt-fest of powerful anthems and wistful ballads that all share a persistent, percussive angst. This show is more concept album than play and requires […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
To see or not to see, there is no question: A review of Theatre Cedar Rapids’ ‘Hamlet’
Hamlet Theatre Cedar Rapids — through Apr. 16 I fell in love with Hamlet at a very young age. The titular character of one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated tragedies was exactly the kind of goth-y antihero that I went for, and his bloodthirsty revenge fantasy was utterly relatable to me. The romance of Ophelia, so […]
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: Lebowski’s Bar & Grill
As a connoisseur of both stoner flicks and all vodka-related beverages I was thrilled to learn of a Big Lebowski-themed restaurant opening in Robins, Iowa (925 Robins Square Dr.). Advertised as a bar and grill, this establishment, opened in February by Shawn and Nola Bodensteiner, was practically begging me to come judge their White Russians […]
