This Prairie Lights event celebrates the paperback release of Steve Inskeep’s “Imperfect Union,” with a reading and conversation with Iowa Public Radio’s Charity Nebbe. Free; registration required.

Live on Jazz 88.3 and Facebook, it’s Saul Lubaroff, Andy Parrot, Scott Barnum and Jim Dreier to kick off the New Year with an hour of live jazz! Part of the First Friday Jazz Series.

Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Theatre presents an evening of short plays by area writers telling the of real-life couples, performed by real-life couples.

Iowa City Community Theatre presents three original short plays by local playwright Joshua Rouse. Free; registration required.

The weekly reading series returns with Brooke-Erin Smith’s 2020 play about genetically engineered children tasked with ensuring the future of humanity. Cavan Hallman directs.

Iowa City Poetry presents poets Micah Bateman & Danielle Wheeler for a three-week workshop. Cost is $75 for the full class; tuition assistance available.

Iowa City Community Theatre presents three original short plays by local playwright Joshua Rouse. Free; registration required.

A rep from Brucemore will share images of the destruction from the August Derecho, discuss the immediate response and the development of long-range restoration plans for the gardens and site.

Iowa City Community Theatre presents three original short plays by local playwright Joshua Rouse. Free; registration required.