I’m continually amazed at how Iowa City, as a community, is both full of pride for its many fine qualities, and at the same time insecure enough to jump on any moment of attention from the outside world as a sort of validating life-line.
Iowa Writers Workshop
Posted inCommunity/News
Workshop woes: A supposedly bad thing the Iowa Writers’ Workshop did to literature
On Feb. 10, The Chronicle of Higher Education published Eric Bennett’s essay, How Iowa Flattened Literature. Although it is better researched and more erudite…
Posted inCommunity/News
Former Writers’ Workshop fellow is youngest to receive Man Booker Prize
The Man Booker Prize is Britain’s most prestigious literary prize, and its latest winner is not only a former Iowa Writers’ Workshop fellow, but also the youngest writer to…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Marilynne Robinson interview – Reading 10/24 at Englert Theatre
I sat down on behalf of Little Village to catch up with Marilynne Robinson in her office at the Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop, in advance of her upcoming talk at the Englert Theater on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The acclaimed novelist, essayist and professor has received more awards, fellowships and prestigious visiting lectureships than can be tallied here, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Readings: June 19 – 22
Hello Iowa City readers, writers and bibliophiles – this sweltering week in the middle of June is the perfect week for you. A fantastic selection of readings are coming your way in the next few days, and whether you’re a veteran of Iowa City’s long tradition of literary readings, or you’ve been timidly waiting on […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Prairie Pop
Strange Attraction: An Interview with Claudia Gonson of the Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields, the brainchild of pop prodigy Stephin Merritt, hold a unique place in my musical heart. I came across the group purely by chance in 1994 after finding their Holiday album in a dollar bin (the record store clerk who priced it clearly didn’t realize what a gem it was). Rarely have I […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Sad Iron Music: Self Titled
Local Albums: April 2010 – Sad Iron Music is the musical persona of Jason Lewis, originally from West Virginia, but living now in Iowa City and attending the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He was in the alt-country band Star City that a few years back achieved some prominence, accompanied, unfortunately, by little financial success. After turning […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender: October 8-10
Good Weekend to You, Weekenders! First, a mighty huge thank you to Drug Rug for the kick ass in-studio set on last night’s edition of Little Village Radio, on KRUI. If you were at their show at The Picador last night, with Portugal. the man, you know this band is for real. For those of […]
