Ahead of his first show back at the Englert since pre-COVID (March 4, 2022), William Elliott Whitmore sat down with Englert Development Director and Awful Purdies accordionist Katie Roche for a wide-ranging conversation about kids, lyrics and Iowa roots. “I love coming [to the Englert],” Whitmore said. “It’s like family, it’s people that we know […]
Video
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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 […]
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Say It Forward: Jen Knights serves as sinew connecting Iowa City-area creatives
“Say It Forward” is an exploration of community and the people who shape it. Little Village starts here, with Jen Knights, familiar to many for her work with Mission Creek Festival and at the University of Iowa School of Social Work. “When people talk about love they often say ‘love is a verb.’ And I […]
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Iowa City’s Sudanese community joined worldwide protests against the coup in Sudan
More than 100 members of Iowa City’s Sudanese community gathered at the Pentacrest on Saturday to protest last week’s military coup in Sudan. “Today, democracy is under attack in Sudan,” Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih said Saturday. Salih became the first Sudanese American elected to public office in the United States when she […]
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‘I hope it’s gonna be a catalyst’: City dedicates the Oracles of Iowa City mural
The Oracles of Iowa City mural is finally completed after months of work. The figures stand tall over East Burlington Street with two stark messages: “Black joy needs no permission” and “Weaponize your privilege to save Black bodies.” Artists Antoine Williams and Donté K. Hayes designed the nearly 70-foot murals that now decorate the Capitol […]
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Englert Theatre reopens to the public, ‘excited’ for the path forward (VIDEO)
After a long hiatus, the Englert Theatre is once again opening its doors to the public, albeit with strict COVID-19 safety procedures in place. Interim Executive Director John Schickendanz and Board President Carl Brown sat down with Little Village recently to discuss the theater’s current changes and future direction. It’s been a difficult 16 months […]
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Getting to know Iowa (and Midwest music) at Grey Area festival
The last time I went to a music festival was two years and two months ago, AthFest in Athens, Georgia, the town I called home until a few weeks ago. And while I’ve seen live music here and there during the pandemic, I have really missed the festival atmosphere: the food trucks, the ambient music […]
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Watch: Cory Wong performs at the 2021 Iowa City Jazz Festival
Video by Jason Smith
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Watch: ‘Is a naked body hurting you?’ Artist Talya Miller brings body positivity, kindness to her digital works
“Kindness is a huge aspect of my work,” Talya Miller, a visual artist in Iowa City, who works in multiple media including book design, said. But not “that fluffy idea of ‘Iowa nice.’” Miller talked to Little Village about the difference between working with digital and traditional art tools, the connection between the written word […]
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A beginner’s guide to breaking
Hi everyone! Local dancer and author Chuy a.k.a. Bboy Original BEATS here. In this article, All The Way Up Studio co-owner Joel Sorenson a.k.a. Bboy Keitsu and I are going to teach you some core foundational elements of breaking (commonly referred to as breakdancing.*) Our goal is to give you the tools to approach your […]
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Watch: Behind the scenes of Iowa City’s No Touching Sessions, now in its second season
What began as an idea two friends had in May 2020 for a “pandemic project” has now begun its second season. In the “No Touching Sessions,” Crystal Sherman and Dan Miller use the stage at Gabe’s to create a virtual concert experience, giving local artists a new outlet for their music and viewers an opportunity […]
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Watch: J.E.D.I. training brings anti-racist conversations to marginalized youth
“We are either in support of justice movements or we continue to perpetuate an unjust society.” -Jonny Stax Young padawans are invited to participate in J.E.D.I. training this month. Led by ArtForce Iowa and Jonny Stax Creations, the J.E.D.I. (justice, equity, diversity and intersectionality) program seeks to bring anti-racist conversations to marginalized youth in Iowa, […]
