For anyone who’s been practicing their cooking skills during the pandemic, the Iowa City Downtown District has an opportunity to put that talent to the test — and it’s also an opportunity to try delicious food and recipes from Iowa City chefs. The annual Top Chef Downtown event allows attendees to taste various entrees, desserts […]
Iowa City Downtown District
Creating public art becomes more private during the pandemic, but the work continues in Iowa City

A reduction of Iowa Citians in the streets hasn’t stopped local artists from beautifying them. Thomas Agran, director of public art for the Iowa City Downtown District, said that when the pandemic started affecting local businesses and jobs, his office mobilized to try to get projects in the hands of artists as quickly as possible. […]
The Downtown Block Party, one of Iowa City’s biggest annual events, has been canceled

The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) announced on Friday it has decided to cancel this summer’s Downtown Block Party. The fourth annual event was scheduled for June 27. The Block Party is one of ICDD’s most successful programs, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. Last summer, 42,000 people came out for an evening […]
Downtown Iowa City Arts Showcase: Megan Gogerty of Riverside Theatre speaks into the void

In support of Riverside Theatre, playwright, comedian, actor and professor Megan Gogerty performs at home in part two of the Downtown Iowa City Arts Showcase — a series of performances inviting community contributions to local artists, and to the nonprofit arts organizations that support their work year-round. Support Riverside Theatre To support Megan Gogerty: Venmo: […]
Downtown Iowa City Arts Showcase: How PromptPress binds visual arts and writing together

The current moment brings into sharp focus the need to support our arts and culture venues and local artists. The Downtown Iowa City Arts Showcase is an eight-part series of performances that invite community contributions to artists and to the nonprofit arts organizations that support their work year-round. Performance #1: Excerpts from PromptPress Issue #8, […]
Watch: Sitting down with stand-ups at Floodwater Comedy Festival
Here are the winning entrees, desserts and drinks at the 10th Top Chef Downtown competition

The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) held its 10th annual Top Chef Downtown at The Graduate on Monday night. This year’s event featured offerings from 29 Iowa City restaurants. Competing entrees ranged from classics like St. Burch Tavern’s braised short rib to less familiar fare like Oasis’s mansaf, as well as desserts such as The […]
Local businesses in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids will offer special deals on Small Business Saturday

For the most ambitious shoppers (who often make the rest of us look bad), the end of Thanksgiving means the start of the holiday shopping season. But because sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday — the two biggest shopping days of the year — typically benefit big retailers the most, American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010. The shopping event encourages people to support their local economy. […]
Where to park for free and which streets and bus stops are closed for the Iowa City Downtown Block Party

Parking will be free in the downtown ramps on Saturday, as the third annual Downtown Block Party takes over the streets, Iowa City Transit announced on Monday. Finding a spot may be a challenge though, because 42,000 people attended last year’s party, according to the Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD), which produces the event. […]
Iowa City Downtown District selects new ‘nighttime mayor’

The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) announced on Wednesday it’s hired a new “Nighttime Mayor,” the nonprofit’s “nightlife, arts and culture liaison.” Joe Reilly will fill the vacancy created when Angela Winnike, the first person to hold the position, resigned in December, before moving to Los Angeles for a new job. Reilly, a native of […]