Several weeks ago, Iowa City-area musician Blake Shaw shared some exciting news with folks who follow him on Instagram, @theeblakebass. “Starting this fall,” he posted, “along with my work at Cornell College, I’ll also be taking over the Kirkwood Community College jazz department! My main responsibilities will be directing the big band and one other […]
Eastern Iowa Arts & Entertainment
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Werner Herzog joins John Irving in lineup for Refocus Film Festival
Organizers announced on Friday that renowned film director Werner Herzog (Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo, Grizzly Man, Cave of Forgotten Dreams) is coming to Iowa City as part of the Refocus Film Festival, Infinite Dream and the Iowa City Book Festival on Sunday, Oct. 15. His appearance, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Englert […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
Theater Review: ‘Macbeth’ from Iowa City’s Willow Creek Theatre Company
What brings people back to the work of a 459-year-old playwright? Shakespeare’s legitimacy and relevance make for frequent debate among theater makers and audiences, evidenced by course catalogs and panel titles all over the world. This weekend, Willow Creek Theatre Company’s production of Macbeth, directed by Luke Alexander Brooks, focuses on Shakespeare’s powers as a […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘For 10 years I dreamed of bringing something like this to Iowa City’: Dreamwell Theatre to host no-holds-barred queer variety show this fall
The details are not yet set, but Iowa City’s Dreamwell Theatre is bringing back its QueertopIA event this fall. QueertopIA is an offshoot of the Queertopia project in Minneapolis, “a longstanding tradition of an all-inclusive, no holds barred ‘cabaret of queer love’ started in Minneapolis by Jeffry Lusiak and carried on by Nastalie Q,” according […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘I don’t want my kid to grow up in a culture that admires and rewards white supremacy’: Adeem the Artist set to play Iowa City on Friday
Adeem the Artist has declared this to be their “weird summer of chaos.” During a phone interview with Little Village, Adeem the Artist spoke quickly and eloquently, a gentle type of proselytizing that led them at one point to say, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to sing my songs and tell my story […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
ESPN sportscaster Jesse Rogers to bring ‘The Franchise: Chicago Cubs’ book tour to Iowa City
Jesse Rogers and Bruce Miles want to cut to the heart of what makes the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Cubs. In their new book, The Franchise: Chicago Cubs, the season reporters go beyond well-known narratives to uncover the team’s unique identity. Rogers, an ESPN sportscaster, defined that identity while speaking with Little Village in advance […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Meet Sam Locke Ward, Iowa City’s pop music MacGyver
Since the time Samuel Locke Ward grew up in relative isolation on a family farm in Iowa, he has taken the road less traveled at every turn. With a preternatural talent for crafting earworm hooks and catchy melodies, the prolific musician could very well have beaten a path to Nashville or Los Angeles and developed […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
Q&A: Ukrainian filmmaker Maksym Melnyk on his debut doc ‘Three Women’
As a self-described “movie guy,” I’ve often found documentaries a tough genre to break into. My biases often paint them as bleak or sterile looks at how the human race is failing one another. Movies are my means of escaping those harsh realities. Maksym Melnyk is not interested in painting that picture though. His portrait […]
Posted inWeekender
Weekender Eastern Iowa! Harmony Fest | James Tutson | Everybody | Graduate Sessions
READ THE LATEST | SUPPORT LITTLE VILLAGE | SHOP PERKS THE WEEKENDER Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium In the immortal words of Santana, it feels like we’re “seven inches from the midday sun” this weekend! If you’re a heat-lover, bask in that warm glow at Harmony Fest—yoga, meditation, sound healing and more await. Or try out SUP Yoga at […]
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Weekender Eastern Iowa! Chrimmus in July | Life in Plastic | Barista Throwdown
READ THE LATEST | SUPPORT LITTLE VILLAGE | SHOP PERKS THE WEEKENDER Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium We all know it’s RAGBRAI season this weekend. The scent of chain oil on the air, the coworkers and friends you’re losing for a week — it’s everywhere. If you’re sticking around town this weekend, there’s a ton to do to soothe […]
Posted inWeekender
Weekender Eastern Iowa! Illiterati Fest | Funniest Person in Iowa | Monarch Fest
READ THE LATEST | SUPPORT LITTLE VILLAGE | SHOP PERKS THE WEEKENDER Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium Get your shoes on for going out this weekend — there’s plenty for everyone. Laugh it up at the Lucky Cat’s Funniest Person in Iowa Contest or at Willow Creek Theatre Company with Iowa City’s only professional improv team, Lady Franklyn. More […]
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Weekender Eastern Iowa! DVIP Benefit Show| CR Pride | Here Come the Mummies
READ THE LATEST | SUPPORT LITTLE VILLAGE | SHOP PERKS THE WEEKENDER Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium This weekend’s bursting at the seams up and down the CRANDIC! North Libertines can groove on down to Centennial Park for a day of the best blues on offer, Cedar Rapidians can celebrate a belated Pride with the CR Pride Fest in […]
