Taste of Iowa City returned to the downtown area Wednesday night. This was the 14th year for the Iowa City Downtown District’s event, which is designed to introduce new students at the University of Iowa to downtown and Northside restaurants. Little Village’s multimedia journalist, Adria Carpenter, captured the samples, party games in the Ped Mall […]
Iowa City Downtown District
Posted inEastern Iowa
Taste of Iowa City returns with food from more than 50 downtown and Northside restaurants
Taste of Iowa City returns for its 14th year on Wednesday. The four-hour event, organized by the Iowa City Downtown District, is held during the first week of the fall semester at the University of Iowa to introduce incoming students to the variety of food available downtown and on the Northside. But it’s also an […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Live music, silent disco, almost-beach volleyball, pro wrestling and much more planned for Iowa City’s Downtown Block Party
The chance to dance like everybody is watching, but nobody watching can hear your music returns on Saturday, as the Downtown Block Party’s Silent Disco takes over the stretch of Dubuque Street in front of Pullman Bar & Diner (17 S Dubuque St). The Silent Disco is just one of the familiar favorites returning to […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Public art meets the front porch swing in Black Hawk Mini Park
The official description of Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 calls it an “international participatory public art installation” that “features a series of three-dimensional red frames that illustrate the warmth, comfort, and safety of our home.” But anyone walking past Black Hawk Mini Park can be forgiven if their first thought is, Oh, look, swings! The […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photo Gallery: Pullman, The Webster among the winners at Top Chef: Downtown Iowa City 2022
Top Chef: Downtown Iowa City returned Monday night as 26 local restaurants competed for Best Entrée, Best Dessert and Best Mixology. The event was back in-person after last year’s at-home experience, and tickets were completely sold out. The Iowa City Downtown District donated a portion of the proceeds to Strengthen – Grow – Evolve, a […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Children can experience shopping local, a little independence at the ICDD Kid’s Holiday Market
The Iowa City Downtown District has made this holiday season one of the most festive yet with the addition of the Kid’s Holiday Market. The market, located in Black Hawk Mini Park in the pedestrian mall, is a charming opportunity for kids to do their holiday shopping locally, without their caregivers and in a calm […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Introducing Sprites, downtown Iowa City’s new interactive light installation
One of the most trafficked alleyways in downtown Iowa City is in the process of a complete transformation. On Friday, Sprites, an interactive art installation, will light up the alley connecting Dubuque and Linn streets, and Washington Street with Iowa Avenue. Dynamic, colorful bursts of light will fill the once dark, Dumpster-lined space and change […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Loop, an interactive art exhibit, lights up the Ped Mall
Loop began to light up the Ped Mall on Friday. The interactive art installation combines spinning illustrations and quiet music, all powered by the person viewing the art. The installation features large cylindrical pods that mimic the display of a zoetrope, an early 19th-century precursor of the movies. Zoetropes were tabletop devices containing a loop […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The Farm to Street Dinner is returning, and tickets go on sale Tuesday
Tickets for Iowa City’s fifth Farm to Street Dinner will go on sale Tuesday morning, available through the Iowa City Downtown District’s site. The event has sold out very quickly in previous years. 2020 was not one of those years. The Farm to Street Dinner was canceled last year due to COVID-19. Even though the […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
It’s nearly time for the annual Ped Mall bench makeover — applications are open for BenchMarks 2021
The Iowa City Ped Mall has seen Herkys on parade, tree sweaters, outdoor pianos, a massive $20,000 bike rack and more, but perhaps its most enduring and diverse public art project has been its painted benches. Since the summer of 2012, the City of Iowa City, Iowa City Downtown District and sponsor GreenState Credit Union […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Iowa City’s Top Chef Downtown event transforming to an at-home experience this year
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 […]
Posted inUncategorized
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. […]
