Iowa City author Paul Street’s latest book, Barack Obama and the Future of American Politics, is a critical report on the phenomenal rise of the junior senator from Illinois. Street is a historian and former Chicagoan who worked for the Chicago Urban League as a policy researcher. Obama fanatics will read this book at their […]
Most Recent
Posted inArts & Entertainment
On the Beat: Spirited shows
Welcome to the War on Xmas, pt. II. If it were up to me, starting every Oct. 1st, every department store–and one random radio station–would start playing Halloween music all damn day and night. From the classics (Boris Pickett’s “Monster Mash”) to unheralded gems (Bob Marley’s “Dracula”) to the downright stupid (Zacherley’s “Dinner with Drac”), […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Movie Review: Edge of Heaven
The Edge of Heaven (Auf der anderen Seite) Directed by Fatih Akin October 3-5, Bijou There is an old poem by Horace that celebrates simple country living; its surprise ending is that the whole thing turns out to be the pitch of a city dweller trying to sell some rural property. During the Olympics, there […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Free Rice and Ennui
Can’t seem to focus on work today and wish you could feed the hungry and test your vocabulary at the same time? Then check out FreeRice.com, prove you know what an “eland” is, and get 20 grains of rice donated to the United Nations World Food Program for each correct answer. Oh, and, if vocabulary […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender – September 19-21
Either you’re helping me rebuild my house [wink, wink] or you’re looking for some good times on the weekend. Either way, there’s no home game, so you can praise/curse the lack of a tailgate and enrich yourself with a different kind of entertainment. Friday, September 19 (Movie Night) Final Season Movie at the Ballpark | […]
Posted inCommunity/News
They Weren't Serving Moose at the Steakfry
Our friends over at Iowa Politics have a full report on the Sarah Palin roast that was the Tom Harkin Steak Fry. But this gem from Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge stands out: “Sarah knows how to field-dress a moose. I know how to castrate a calf. Neither of those things has anything at all […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender – September 13-14
Little Village is going to monopolize this week’s weekender by highlighting I-Renew’s 2008 Energy and Sustainability Expo. No, it’s not the only thing to do this weekend, it’s just the only thing you SHOULD do. Keep your eyes on the sustainable prize of an earth that loves its inhabitants. Saturday, September 13 – Sunday, September […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender – September 5-7
Well folks, sometimes you get so busy you don’t have a whole lot of time for fun, or in the case of this week, time to even think about the fun. This week was one of those weeks, so in abreviated fashion, here are a few options for your Friday and Saturday nights. Friday, September […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Unknown Component – In Direct Communication CD Review
Unknown Component In Direct Communication Self Released [audio:unknown_component_its_a_fine_line.mp3] Unknown Component – Its a Fine Line (mp3) Keith Lynch is a local singer-songwriter that has never done things the usual way, starting with his chosen stage name Unknown Component, which suggests an electronica act, or a band at least, but it’s just Keith, his guitars, and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
IA Confidential | Rev Hummer Part 3 of 3
IA Confidential is a serial comic depicting true tales form Iowa City’s storied past. Read part one of the story here. Read part two of the story.
Posted inAlbum Reviews
The Coast – Expatriate CD Review
The Coast Expatriate Aporia We normally don’t run reviews of out of town bands, but this is an interesting and attractive CD, and it happens that they’ll be playing at the Picador September 21st. The Coast is 4 guys arrayed in the standard drums and wires rawk quartet. They’re Canadian, which is probably neither here […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Mint Wad Willy – A History of Guns and Liars CD Review
Mint Wad Willy A History of Guns and Liars Self Released [audio:mint_wad_willy_god_bless_america.mp3] Mint Wad Willy – God Bless America (mp3) Mint Wad Willy’s debut album “A History of Guns and Liars” definitely has a Southern Rock vibe to it. The dominant instrumental sound is artfully sloppy, distorted slide guitar. When I first listened to it, […]
