Last weekend was a lost weekend for the weekender. My usual Thursday morning weekender write up time was replaced with a trip to the hospital for the birth of my daughter. Sorry, priorities. But, we return this weekend with a Valentine’s edition. Lots of shows are sold out (including Dr. John) so if you still haven’t made your V-Day plans, do it soon, or get the candles out for a homecooked evening.
Friday, February 13
As You Like It | Thayer Theater, UI | 8pm | $8-17
The UI Theatre troupe makes its post-flood return to the mainstage at Thayer with, thankfully, a comedy. Shakespeare’s As You Like It is an appropriate homecoming, the Thayer performance of the play that gave us the quotable “all the world’s a stage,” will be much sweeter performed on THIS stage and no other. The Valentine’s show is sold out, so make your plans for Fridays show or Sunday’s 2pm finale.
Tales of Love & Hate | Cedar Rapids Museum of Art | 7pm | $20
Musicians, writers and actors performing at the art museum make for a multi-disciplinary experience. Doug Elliott, Janelle Lauer and Gerard Estella provide the music for performances of original theatrical works by IC and CR members of “The Writer’s Room.” Grab a bite before hand or check out the art to complete your cultural feast.
Saturday, February 14
Sweethearts’ Serenade | The Mill, IC | 6pm-close | $35 or 42
I’ve never been a fan of the fixed menu Valentine’s phenomenon, but I’ve relented. Seems you can’t go many places without running into that problem. But, if you can’t choose your own meal, you can choose the accompaniment. The Mill offers the best musical side for your meal, with real life lovers playing acoustic duets all night long. Save seven bucks if you book early.
Marah | The Picador, IC | 9pm | $8
The veteran rockers (unbelievably, these guys have been around since 93!) have earned their reputation for roof-shakin’ live performances. If your valentine would rather stand and shout than sit and chat, this is your show. Uncut Magazine raves “It’s street music, soul music, music to walk off a skyscraper to…[y]ou’re left with your hair standing on end, shaken up, exhilarated, that hole in your heart temporarily fixed, which is all you can ask of great rock ‘n’ roll.”
Sunday, February 15
Beautiful Losers | The Bijou, IMU | 5pm | $5
If you know LV, you know we love the Bijou. Without the Bijou, Iowa City would be a cinematic fly-over town. Thankfully, good films still stop through for a week. Oh, and we also love outsider art, skate punks, hip-hop and documentaries, which makes Beautiful Losers an easy pick for sweethearts with a DIY attitude. The film chronicles the early 90’s NY scene, beatifying the works of Shepard Fairey, Barry McGee and Ed and Deanna Templeton.
