Wright House of Fashion’s latest event was a two-day showcase of art, comedy, talks on fashion and diversity, and of course, fashion shows. The first fashion show of the inaugural Beyond Fashion Festival was Jamie Sauncoci’s JS Wear, sponsored by the Great Plains Action Society and hosted in the Graduate’s ballroom. The show opened with […]
Studio 13
Posted inEastern Iowa
‘Star Search: All Stars’ crowns its queen in a high-production, gorgeously gay finale at Studio 13
Now I know I’m probably sappier than everyone at Studio 13 put together but I just want to reiterate how incredibly lucky we, as audience members, are to experience this level of talent and dedication.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Star Search: All Stars’ Ep. 7: Well-steeped tea spills, patterns clash and a fan favorite falls in the semi-final roast
Girl, this is not RuPaul’s best friends race. I can’t believe it’s already the top four but here we are, and what a challenge for it. I feel like everyone knows that the roast is harrowing.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Star Search: All Stars’ Ep. 6: Filthy, freakish and sickening in every sense, Dragula week had the artists going all-fucking-out
It was not a night for the faint of heart. The Dragula Ball was the most gripping, nutso, disgusting thing I’ve ever seen — and it was everything. The top five created three looks for three categories: Glamour, Horror and Filth.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Star Search: All Stars’ Ep. 5: Comediennes create chemistry during a pseudo-Real Housewives reunion
The Real Housewives of Johnson County, this week’s challenge, was a non-scripted, Bravo-inspired live cast reunion for a season of TV that didn’t actually happen. It was, of course, hosted by Lil Kimmy Blaque in the role of one “Candy” Cohen.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Star Search: All Stars’ Ep. 4: A diamond sparkles in a lip-sync-a-rama testing contestants’ memory and stage presence
Catch up on episode one, two and three. This week’s challenge is Judge Beep Beep’s favorite, Drag Roulette, but it takes a different form than in previous seasons. A week ago, the contestants were given a sheet of songs to memorize completely, one of which would be chosen at random for them to perform. In past […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Star Search: All Stars’ Ep. 3: Purple reigned at Studio 13 as contestants snatched celebrity (and fellow drag artists’) personas
Catch up on episode one and episode two. The infamous Snatch Game. Even in the actual RuPaul’s Drag Race, I dread Snatch Game. For those unfamiliar, it’s basically a sketch comedy routine. Each contestant chooses someone to impersonate and then participates in a dating show as that character — totally method. For those of us […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Star Search: All Stars’ Ep. 2: Hats are thrown into the ring as girl groups perform, alliances form
For those uninitiated, Star Search: All Stars is a live, weekly reality competition show in Iowa City’s Studio 13, that’s basically the region’s own RuPaul’s Drag Race. There’s been five previous seasons, but this one is special: it’s an all winners and almost-winners lineup. Each contestant has competed before and was a crowd favorite. […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The ultimate Iowa City drag competition has begun, and the sparks are flying already. Here’s your intro to ‘Star Search: All Stars’
You don’t know Iowa drag if you don’t know Studio 13’s Star Search. And if you don’t know Star Search, you can start your education with Star Search: All Stars. The new season premiered this past weekend, and you’re going to want to clear out your Sundays, 9-11 p.m., for about the next nine weeks. […]
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
Restaurateurs look to local creatives to elevate their exterior
Even if you’re in it for the food and drink, a good view never hurts. At restaurants across the CRANDIC, that view is enhanced by artists. The confluence of art and food is visible in everything from grab-and-go items eaten on brightly painted picnic benches dotting Iowa City’s downtown, to an intentional sit-down meal (with […]
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
Iowa City Pride hosting virtual parade on Saturday, joining Juneteenth march
Pride events across the country were swiftly canceled earlier this spring, as the risks posed by COVID-19 became clear, but many LGBTQ organizations promised not to let Pride Month pass without a celebration. Iowa City Pride will host its own socially distant celebration this Saturday, June 20, with a virtual parade. Local drag queens and […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Hazy Buchanan, the groundbreaking Miss Iowa City titleholder, offers advice ahead of the 2020 pageant
With Iowa City Pride Week still five months away, the community could use a dose of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. Iowa City Pride will host their annual Mr. and Miss Iowa City competition at Studio 13 on Sunday. Last year, Hazy Buchanan, a drag queen who identifies as a woman, both in and outside of drag, was dubbed Miss Iowa City.
