THE WEEKENDER
Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium
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Get your shoes on for going out this weekend — there’s plenty for everyone. Laugh it up at the Lucky Cat’s Funniest Person in Iowa Contest or at Willow Creek Theatre Company with Iowa City’s only professional improv team, Lady Franklyn. More of a bookworm? Hit up Prairie Lights tonight for a reading of ‘A Boob’s Life,’ tune into some local writers at Sanctuary for the Writers’ Rooms’ latest anthology release or get your YA on at Sidekick Coffee and Books with Tirzah Price’s new novel, ‘Manslaughter Park.’ Top pick: Run, don’t walk, to the James Theater for the second Illiterati Fest, featuring a banger lineup including Penny Peach, Anthony Worden, Lex Leto and much more. Plus, all proceeds from the festival go to charities in the Iowa City community — wins all around!
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Graduate Iowa City
Graduate Sessions: Blake Shaw Quartet
Jul 13 – 7:00pm
Join us every second and fourth Thursday for live jazz music from the Blake Shaw Quartet at Graduate Food Hall at Graduate Iowa City.
More info >>
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Prairie Lights Bookstore
A Boob’s Life: How America’s Obsession Shaped Me…and You
Jul 13 – 7:00pm
At turns funny and heartbreaking, A Boob’s Life explores both the joys and hazards inherent to living in a woman’s body.
More info >>
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City Park Pool
Food Truck Fridays at the Pool
Jul 14 – 6:00pm
Grab food from some of our region’s finest food truck vendors and enjoy a summer night at the pool with us!
More info >>
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La wine bar & restaurant
Nikki Lunden
Jul 14 – 7:00pm
Nikki Lunden bringing the high energy folk rock and roll!
No cover charge.
More info >>
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Mirrorbox Theatre
The United Plays of America: Midwest Edition
Jul 14 – 7:30pm
Playwright Claudia Haas (Out the Box Almost Mary) has created a delightful collection of short plays, ranging from humorous to poignant, that “travel” across all 50 states (plus Washington D.C.).
More info >>
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Coralville Center for the Performing Arts
Disney’s High School Musical
Jul 14 – 7:30pm
It’s the first day after winter break at East High, and the school’s cliques are about to collide.
More info >>
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Wildwood BBQ & Saloon
Casper McWade
Jul 14 – 8:00pm
Casper McWade at Wildwood!
More info >>
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The Lucky Cat Comedy & Events
Comedy: Prelims – Funniest Person in Iowa
Jul 14 – 8:00pm
The Funniest Person in Iowa Contest is BACK this July! Watch the best comics in Iowa compete for the title of Funniest Person in Iowa.
More info >>
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Elray’s Live & Dive
Malek and the Vibez
Jul 14 – 8:00pm
Kansas City R&B/Rock group with strong midwestern influences. Listeners have compared their songwriting style to the likes of Daniel Caesar, John Mayer, H.E.R, and Tori Kelly
More info >>
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Rhythm City Casino Resort
Tracy Hannemann
Jul 14 – Jul 15 – 8:30pm
Tracy Hannemann has music in her bones!
More info >>
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Boggs’ Hull Avenue Tap
They Watch Us From the Moon + Resurrection Mary + The Burning Sons
Jul 14 – 9:00pm
More info >>
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Public Space One
Multicolor Linocut Printing
Jul 15 – 9:00am
This workshop is designed for people who have basic linocut knowledge and are wanting to expand their printing making methods.
More info >>
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Downtown Ottumwa
Bizarre Bazaar
Jul 15 – 10:00am
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, July 15, and the Bizarre Bazaar will be an eclectic gathering of artists, crafters, and makers.
More info >>
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Indian Creek Nature Center
Monarch Fest
Jul 15 – 10:00am
Celebrate Monarch Butterflies and their importance to our natural world!
More info >>
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Sidekick Coffee and Books
A Conversation w/Tirzah Price and Becky Vardaman
Jul 15 – 1:00pm
Join us on July 15 at 1pm for a reading and conversation with author Tirzah Price and author Becky Vardaman to discuss Tirzah’s new YA novel “Manslaughter Park!”
More info >>
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Cedar Rapids Public Library-Downtown
Maker Room Open House
Jul 15 – 1:00pm
See a demonstration of the library’s 3D printers, Glowforge, and Cricut machine. Find out how to use the room. View a gallery of projects created by other makers and make a personalized button.
More info >>
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The James Theater
Illiterati Fest 2
Jul 15 – 5:00pm
Join us for the second annual Illiterati Fest at the James Theatre in Iowa City, IA. All proceeds from the festival go to benefit charities in the Iowa City community.
More info >>
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CSPS
Camp Yesandia Showcase
Jul 15 – 6:30pm
Camp Yesandia is back and better than ever for a second year of workshops! This year, over the course of three days, improv students of all ages will journey through different games and skills!
More info >>
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Sanctuary Pub
Writers of the Loam Book Launch!
Jul 15 – 7:00pm
Join us on Saturday, July 15th at 7pm at Sanctuary Pub in Iowa City for our anthology launch of Writers of the Loam!
More info >>
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Willow Creek Theatre Company
Lady Franklyn Show
Jul 15 – 7:30pm
Lady Franklyn is Iowa City’s one and only professional improv team. A night of entertainment you’ll never forget!
More info >>
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Codfish Hollow Barnstormers
Sunny Sweeney & Lauren Morrow
Jul 15 – 8:00pm
Sunny Sweeney / Lauren Morrow
More info >>
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Public Space One
Iowa City Flea Market
Jul 16 – 11:00am
Iowa City Flea Summer Market #1. Outside Public Space One Close House. Art, Clothing, Vintage, Handmade. 30+ vendors!
More info >>
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Public Space One
Open House
Jul 16 – 2:00pm
Come to our Open House to talk with our Leadership team, check-out books, and learn more about volunteering!
More info >>
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Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
Sunday Funday with the Dandelion Stompers
Jul 16 – 3:00pm
Free Live Outdoor Music
More info >>
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Prairie Lights Bookstore
Harry and Sue: A Story of Love and Ghosts.
Jul 16 – 3:00pm
Join us with Iowa City author Larry Baker, who will read from his latest novel, Harry and Sue: A Story of Love and Ghosts.
More info >>
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CSPS
Dom Martin
Jul 16 – 7:00pm
Although a young man relatively new to the scene, it would be wrong to think Dom Martin hasn’t paid his life and musical dues.
More info >>
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Book Review: ‘The Language of Love and Loss’ by Bart Yates
by Mike Kuhlenbeck, Jul 13
As Noah York says of his mother: “Of course I love her, but that’s beside the point.” She is the “most complicated person” he knows, “running the gamut from holy woman to gargoyle, depending on the day.”
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Book Review: ‘Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs: A Journey Through the Deep State’ by Kerry Howley
by Emma McClatchey, Jul 7
Kerry Howley, you had me the title.
Maybe your brain hasn’t been colonized but internet worms for the better part of three decades, but I for one recognized immediately the reference to a viral video from 2014 in which a middle-aged white woman presents a practiced two-minute spiel, including visual aids, breaking down all the alleged satanic symbolism on a can of Monster Energy drink. |
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Album Review: Widow7 — ‘Our New Doomsday’
by Isaac Hamlet, Jul 11
There were a handful of years when I had a strange fixation on the post-grunge band Breaking Benjamin. Strange only because my general taste would grow to bend toward alternative and folk music, though a selection of Breaking Benjamin songs have never gone out of rotation for me.
I’d never quite pinned down what drew me to those songs, but this week, Widow7 helped me figure it out. |
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