With a stage name like Patricia Holly, a Christmas album seems to be a no-brainer. Name synergy aside, the Des Moines-based jazz and Americana artist is wholly up to the task of a new holiday effort; her signature vintage sound glides effortlessly between dazzling big-band-style orchestrations and a jazzy, moody piano bar, guided by a […]
Holidays
Posted inCommunity/News
‘Tis the season to donate toys and other gift items to help DVIP & RVAP make the holidays merry for families
With Christmas just six weeks away, the gift drive for the annual Holiday Store that brightens the season for families being helped by the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Rape Victim Advocacy Program (DVIP & RVAP) is now underway. “The toys collected during the drive will provide free holiday gifts for any family receiving shelter […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Two holiday traditions, Holiday Tubas and the DVIP Holiday Store, return
Holiday Tubas, a 50-year-old Iowa City tradition, returns to the steps of the Old Capitol on Friday. Since 1973, tuba, sousaphone (the wrap-around tuba for marching) and euphonium (think tuba, but smaller) players have gathered to play holiday tunes in what Robert Yeats, a University of Iowa music professor in the ’70s and founder of […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Let your holidays go to the dogs (and the cats) at the Iowa City Animal Center
The Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center will be holding its holiday open house on Saturday, giving people a chance to take a break from the stress of the season and pet a dog or snuggle a kitten. Or both. The center (3910 Napoleon Ln) will open its doors at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday […]
Posted inStatewide
Holiday markets around Iowa to spice up your gift shopping
Receiving gifts is great, and giving them can feel even better. But even the best gift givers can find themselves scrolling glassy-eyed through Cyber Monday sales, sweating in a mile-long self-checkout line or cursing the supply chain gods as the estimated delivery date gets bumped to Dec. 26. Give yourself a present this year and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Rockin’ around the Christmas trash: A guide to recycling your holiday waste
Perhaps the worst part of Christmas is the inevitable clean-up afterwards: the mountain of empty boxes, shredded wrapping paper, string lights with burnt-out bulbs and the tree slowly going from beloved holiday symbol to fire hazard. But before you toss it all into the dumpster or stuff it into a garbage can, consider these ways […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Holiday lights bring ‘the joy and magic’ of the season to downtown Cedar Rapids
Co-founder and artistic director of Revival Theatre Company Brian Glick is combining nostalgia with the glitz of Chicago and New York City for this year’s holiday decorations in downtown Cedar Rapids. This is Glick’s second year decorating downtown. He described it as “quite the undertaking at times” but added that because he’s been able to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids tree lighting at Greene Square Park will be virtual this year
The holidays will look a bit different this year due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean traditions have to end — including the city of Cedar Rapids’ holiday tree lighting. As with many activities this year, the lighting of the tree in Greene Square is going virtual. It will be streamed on the city’s […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Make it a meowy Christmas and a happy howliday for animals at the Iowa City shelter
Reindeer are better than people, and so are cats and dogs. And in the season of giving, they deserve to be rewarded for it. Once again, the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center is inviting the public to meet their residents and shower them with gifts at the Holiday with the Hounds open house, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday. Free snacks
Posted inCommunity/News
Take a break from presidential candidates this weekend to enjoy holiday events in Cedar Rapids
The holidays are coming early to Cedar Rapids. Get into the holiday spirit this weekend, and enjoy hot chocolate, shopping, Christmas trees and even a chance to tell Santa Claus all about your wish list (if you’re on the nice list, that is).
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Christmas in the Amana Colonies
A thick sheet of slush lines 220th Trail, the road that runs through the Amana Colonies. It’s Dec. 13th, 2017, close enough to Christmas that I’m excited, but not too excited, for the seven inches of snow now filling my boots. Naturally, I’ve lost my parents on our annual Prelude to Christmas trip; luckily, I […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Make the most of the holiday weekend with local, festive events
There’s one weekend left before it’s time to settle in with family and friends, overeat, open presents and generally bask in yuletide cheer. Whether you’ve not quite gotten into the festive spirit or you’ve been belting carols since Halloween, here are a few weekend activities to kick-start your holiday.
