The BIX is BACK for the 50th Jazz Festival. Special Appearance by Bill Allred, Bix Fest pioneer.

Mirrorbox Theatre presents a special family-friendly Out the Box with Claudia Haas’ “Almost Mary,” dir. Cavan Hallman. Free; registration required.

The Iowa Irish Fest returns to take over downtown Waterloo with the sounds, sights and taste of Ireland!

MidWestOne Bank’s annual community chalk art festival will take place in downtown Iowa City on the streets surrounding the bank headquarters building at 102 S. Clinton Street.

Enjoy free music in the NewBo City Market Yard. This week: Surf Zombies!

Friday Night Concert Series is back on the Ped Mall with Dave Zollo and the Body Electric.

Join the Marion Parks and Recreation Department for free family fun at sunset. Bring your own blanket and/or lawn chairs for general lawn seating.

Jim Swim’s “New Tattoo” EP drops August 6th and he decided to celebrate it by doing a show with some talented friends.

Maggie Vandewalle will be doing a live demonstration all day long and auctioning the piece off at the end of the day! She will also be available to sign prints throughout the day.

Nathan M. Richardson presents a living history performance in which he captures completely the physical and spiritual essence of the former slave, writer, orator and abolitionist.

Cedar Rapids nonprofit Together We Achieve presents a free community festival to commemorate recovery efforts.

Join Stephanie and violinist Suzanne Wedeking for a performance of songs from “Meet Me in the Dream,” “Caught Under Glass” and maybe even a new tune or two.

Summer of the Arts presents a free showing of “Moana.” Registration required.

Big Grove’s Summer Jam Concert Series is excited to host a second rendition from Ben Schmidt Band! This is a free show on the patio of Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa City.

by Tiffani Green, August 5

The building that sits at 1029 3rd St SE in Cedar Rapids has roots almost as deep as the city itself. It was erected by the Matyk family, immigrants from Czechoslovakia, in 1893, only 44 years after the city was incorporated. The building began its life as a dry goods store, with the family living upstairs.

by Tara McGovern, August 3

I’m tearing my house apart looking for a piece of paper. The hunt delays the grief. That paper led me to take all of Ira “John” Rapson’s classes and to gratefully leap when he called me back into his ensembles years after graduation, playing first in jazz vespers, then in Hot Tamale Louie and now his swan song, Esteban and the Children of the Sun.