Summer of the Arts

Anthony Worden
2022-06-04 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: For Anthony Worden, the process of moving past an onslaught of sudden grief crystalized in an Iowa City basement, and—over the course of half a year of writing and rehearsing with his band, the Illiterati—took on the form of his fifth studio album, Plain Angels. Sourced from a period that Worden describes as something of a “social reset,” characterized by the end of a long-term relationship (a development that upended his recent move to Kansas and spurred him to re-relocate to his native city), paired with a series of health scares in his immediate family and the death of an extended family member, the songwriter found himself contending with “big feelings” like “the realization that your loved ones aren’t going to be around forever.” Amidst a blisteringly cold Iowa winter—during which Worden’s day job as an electrician apprentice had him “thrown into installing solar panels in subzero weather on the farms, hog barns, and small towns of the middle part of the state”—he also found himself asking even bigger questions: “With everything that happened, I found myself almost resetting my worth, asking myself—what am I doing here?”
With emotional baggage in toe, Worden holed up in the unfinished cellar studio of band bassist Lucas Adolphson, spending “a lot of time with a glass of whisky” to divine art from feeling. The end result is a collection of ten tracks that’s as meditative as it is triumphant, presented as a loose narrative of personal resilience. Whether it’s charting the hope that comes with starting over somewhere new (“On My Way 2U”), becoming more aware of your fading youth in a college town (“Down But Not Yet Out”), the myriad feelings you feel on a funeral day (“Death of the Wife”) or encountering an ex after some-but-not-all wounds have healed (“Strangers”), the anecdotes that form Angels together create a picture of bittersweet acceptance, uplifted by Worden’s candid lyricism, the Illiterati’s refreshing approach to contemporary rock—which feels as indebted to 70s new wave as it does in early 2000s power pop thanks to the performances by Adolphson, keyboardist/producer Avery Moss, and drummer Aaron Knight—as well as mastering by Huntley Miller, who previously collaborated with indie heavyweights Bon Iver, Low, and Wednesday.

Contact Information:
Web: https://anthonyworden.bandcamp.com/releases
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/anthonywordenmusic/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPe5xuRWbRg

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Katy Guillen & The Drive
2022-06-04 17:00 - 18:30 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Katy Guillen & The Drive is founded on the energetic creative spark and longtime chemistry between Katy Guillen and Stephanie Williams. With Guillen on guitar and vocals and Williams on drums, the two sculpt a sound that recalls a blend of artists like Led Zeppelin, Patty Griffin, and Heartless Bastards.
Guillen calls their genre-bending style “indie roots rock.” Their newest release, the first installment of a two-part musical voyage, “Battles” was culled from a sizable batch of songs and demos crafted by the pair throughout the pandemic. In April 2021, they traveled to Invisible Creature Studio in Los Angeles to track the four-song EP with producer/engineer Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket, Heartless Bastards, Ray LaMontagne). 2022 takes the band on a touring schedule with dates across the country in the spring and summer, as well as a full-length release on the horizon.

Contact Information:
Web: https://katyguillenmusic.com/
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Cedar County Cobras
2022-06-04 15:30 - 17:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Cedar County Cobras play American Roots & Blues music from the last century. The music takes on an “old time” blues feel that would most likely be found in a juke-joint down a gravel road in rural Iowa. Arriving with an upright bass, foot-drum, mandolin, and a collection of guitars this duo plays music that is best described as “boot-stompin” delta blues and roots blues.

Contact Information:
Web: https://cedarcountycobras.com/
Other links: https://cedarcountycobras.com/press-kit

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Life's Your Stage
2022-06-04 15:00 - 15:15 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Life’s Your Stage Dance Company’s mission is to enrich the lives of its students and their families by providing the highest quality of dance instruction. We strive to demonstrate how lessons learned in dance class at any age can be applied to many life situations both in and out of the studio. At Life’s Your Stage we aim to help our dancers lead fulfilling and inspirational lives by providing them with many of the tools they will need to follow and achieve their dreams; including a healthy self-image, a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.

Contact Information:
Web: https://www.lifesyourstage.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/LifesYourStage/

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Dickie
2022-06-04 14:30 - 15:30 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Graduate Hotel

About: On Dickie’s self-titled release, singer-songwriter Dick Prall took a succession of personal losses and nestled them inside a beautifully-layered soundtrack. The intimate and moody testimonial was cited as “Best Indie Rock Release of 2015” by Music Existence, also making its way onto several “top ten” lists that same year. By the time 2019 rolled around, it found Prall in a nostalgic headspace, leading to a reunion with friends and co-producers Pat Sansone (Wilco) and Joshua Shapera. The result is a stripped-back mix of reflective and pulsating tunes stamped into the 10-track sing-along Minus Thieves.
The simplified effort was tracked at The Magic Barn, a rural studio outside the small town of Solon, Iowa. Its notoriety comes from housing the original recording equipment of New York’s now-defunct The Magic Shop. Iconic artists like David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Blondie have all made records at the renowned space, but it’s within the Iowa incarnation that Sansone and Shapera reached even further into the archives of recording history. Applying a formula of straightforward guitars fused seamlessly with tight, no-frills rhythms, the minimal production of Minus Thieves impeccably highlights the core of Prall’s hook-laden songwriting.

Contact Information:
Web: https://dickiemusic.com/
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Liberty High Freestrings featuring Rappers from LH
2022-06-04 14:30 - 14:55 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
More information coming soon!

The Wilted
2022-06-04 13:20 - 13:45 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About:
Contact Information:
Web:
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Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Pinicon Drift
2022-06-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Pinicon Drift plays its own blend of American roots music—rock, folk, pop, country, and soul. Featuring the vocals of Julie Troendle and David Pedersen and Jeff Schmidt’s acoustic guitar (plus the addition of a kick-ass rhythm section and lead guitar for the Iowa Arts Festival performance), the band’s approach is as straightforward as its members’ eastern Iowa roots.
A shared appreciation of classic and contemporary songwriters is reflected in the band’s choices of cover tunes, and the group’s original material is distinctive for its catchy melodies, tight harmonies, and sing-along lyrics. The Pinicon Drift credo is simple yet clear: Serve the song.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/pinicondrift/

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Magician Mikayla Oz
2022-06-04 12:25 - 13:05 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Mikayla Oz has been astonishing audiences nationwide and is becoming one of the most in demand family entertainers in the country. Recognize Mikayla Oz? It’s probably from her multiple media appearances on TV’s Penn and Teller: Try This at Home, the Travel Channel, daytime television and with some of the top Youtubers and Influencers. During Mikayla’s 40min Magic Show, you can expect to see things appear, vanish, float and maybe even an appearance from her bird Bubbles during the show! Mikayla Oz’s show is great for all ages, so arrive early because spots will fill up quickly.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Beverage Garden
2022-06-04 12:00 - 22:30 | Downtown Iowa City, Linn St., Dubuque St., Clinton St., Iowa Ave., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
The Beverage Garden offers an even better view of the Main Stage this year on Clinton Street!

34th Army Band, Scrap Metal
2022-06-04 11:40 - 12:10 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States

Wooden Nickel Lottery
2022-06-04 11:30 - 12:30 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Wooden Nickel Lottery has been honing its exciting original blend of blues & rock since 2014. Having released three studio albums and shared the stage in support of touring national acts, this group has grown into something exceptional. WNL is fronted by Rick Gallo’s energetic and soulful vocals and Rich Toomsen’s masterful guitar work and backed by the polished drumming of Delayne Stallman and the solid, expressive drive of Jess Toomsen’s bass. WNL plays a mix of powerful original blues/rock as well as classic and contemporary blues/rock covers. Attend a live show and be treated to the energy and soul of driving blues/rock and the craftsmanship and polish typically reserved for veteran touring bands.

Contact Information:
Web: https://www.woodennickellottery.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/WoodenNickelLottery

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Culinary Delights
2022-06-04 11:00 - 22:30 | Downtown Iowa City, Linn St., Dubuque St., Clinton St., Iowa Ave., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Food vendors will be serving up tasty items on Iowa Avenue!

ABC's: Arts, Books & Children
2022-06-04 11:00 - 15:00 | Ped Mall Stage, 210 Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Produced by the Iowa City Public Library
Paint the Town, the ICPL Bookmobile, and lots of arts activities for children!

Champagne Academy of Irish Dance
2022-06-04 11:00 - 11:25 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Champagne Academy of Irish Dance: Our Mission is to provide holistic and professional training in the Irish Arts for all ages and stages. The Champagne Academy of Irish Dance students gain experience in dance, singing, music, and teamwork in a strengths-based family environment. Our studio takes pride in using high quality and age-appropriate music, costumes, and choreography. Irish Music and Dance provides a unique opportunity to learn about culture and to appreciate traditional folk art while having fun with friends. Come check out our team at one of our upcoming events!

Contact Information:
Web: https://champagneirishdance.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/ChampagneIrishDance/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKkItzUuUajJJQADUPHhnqA

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Art Fair
2022-06-04 10:00 - 19:00 | Downtown Iowa City, Linn St., Dubuque St., Clinton St., Iowa Ave., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States

Emerging Artist Area
2022-06-04 10:00 - 19:00 | Old Capitol Mall, 201 S Clinton St., Iowa City, 52240
Co-sponsored by US Bank and River Products
In 2022, the Emerging Artist Area will be in the Old Capitol Mall, in the east wing. The mall entrance that is closest to the Area is on Washington Street. There will be signs posted and maps available on festival grounds to help you navigate to the 15 talented artists that will be there!

Kittel & Co.
2022-06-03 21:00 - 22:30 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Jeremy Kittel is an American violinist, fiddler, and composer. He received a Grammy nomination for “Best Instrumental Composition” in 2019 alongside prevalent composers such as John Williams and Terence Blanchard. Fluent in multiple musical genres, he composes original music that draws from a wide variety of influences including folk, jazz, Celtic, Classical, electronic, and more.
Kittel & Co. (“Kid-dle and Koh”) inhabits the space between classical and acoustic roots, Celtic and bluegrass aesthetics, folk and jazz sensibilities, and has performed at venues such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Celtic Connections, and A Prairie Home Companion. The group released its debut album, Whorls, in 2018, which features Kittel along with mandolin phenom Josh Pinkham (named “the future of the mandolin” by Mandolin Magazine), transcendent cellist Nathaniel Smith (as heard with Sarah Jarosz and Kacey Musgraves), guitarist Quinn Bachand (called “Canada’s top Celtic guitarist” by Ashley MacIsaac), and hammer-dulcimer wizard Simon Chrisman (acclaimed for bringing a new tonal flexibility to the instrument). Bluegrass Situation calls Whorls “a feat of new acoustic, string band-rooted chamber music…. whimsical, alluring, and magnificent,” while Earmilk says Whorls is “…a devastatingly beautiful album… a stunning melting pot of classical and folk music, featuring some of the greatest musicians in the genre.”

Contact Information:
Web: https://jeremykittel.com/pages/kittel-co
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Avey Grouws Band
2022-06-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Avey Grouws Band blends blues, roots, rock and soul as powerfully as the Mississippi River runs through their home in the Quad Cities of Iowa & Illinois. Led by powerhouse vocalist Jeni Grouws and ace guitar man Chris Avey, the two-time top ten Billboard charting band are known for their gritty sound and enthusiastic shows. Sophomore album, “Tell Tale Heart”, was recorded in Nashville, TN with Grammy award winner, Casey Wasner (Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal). Released September 2021, “Tell Tale Heart” debuted #7 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. Avey Grouws Band also hit #10 on the Billboard charts with their 2020 debut album, “The Devil May Care”. In 2023, Avey Grouws Band set off on tours to Florida, the East Coast, the Midwest including Kansas City and Topeka, and then to Las Vegas to play the iconic Big Blues Bender with greats Keb’ Mo’, Shemekia Copeland, Danielle Nicole, Tab Benoit and more.

Contact Information:
Web: https://www.aveygrouwsband.com/
Other links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSz9bwRb-XQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPrtjS7NqFk

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Culinary Delights and Beverage Garden
2022-06-03 17:00 - 22:30 | Downtown Iowa City, Linn St., Dubuque St., Clinton St., Iowa Ave., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Food vendors will be serving up tasty items on Iowa Avenue!
The Beverage Garden offers an even better view of the Main Stage this year on Clinton Street!

Art Fair
2022-06-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Iowa City, Linn St., Dubuque St., Clinton St., Iowa Ave., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
There will be 87 artists spread over 7 downtown blocks!

Eat for the Arts at Goosetown, June 1
2022-06-01 11:00 - 21:00 | Goosetown, 203 N. Linn St., Iowa City, IA, 52245, United States
Eat for the Arts at Goosetown on Wednesday June 1! 15% of your purchase will support free arts programming.
Eat in, take out, or order online!
Please note that there are separate lunch and dinner hours.
Lunch hours: 11:00am-2:00pm
Dinner hours: 4:30pm-9:00pm

Free Guy
2022-05-28 21:00 - 23:00 | Iowa City Municipal Airport, 1801 Riverside Dr., Iowa City, 52246
Sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn
Run time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi
Plot: In the extremely popular video game, Free City, a NPC named Guy (Ryan Reynolds) learns the true nature of his existence when he meets the girl of his dreams (Jodie Comer), a human player. This player’s interactions with Guy have massive effects on him, the game, and real world as they play it.
Watch the trailer HERE
*Start times are an estimation based on sunset and are subject to change.
**There will be no movie registration forms this year. Parking and seating are offered on a first come, first served basis.

The Recliners
2022-05-27 18:30 - 21:30 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Graduate Iowa City

About: The Recliners is an 8-member ensemble and plays a wide variety of music shaped by the interests and talents of each individual member. This longstanding group of Iowa City denizens have played together for nearly 35 years. Their music ranges from classic ’60s and ’70s rock to newly released songs by contemporary singer-songwriters, and includes original tunes, American folk music, Irish melodies, bluegrass, blues, ballads, and mostly, good old-fashioned rock and roll.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/The-Recliners-of-Iowa-City-350253899510/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaV8dLXj6CQ

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Eat for the Arts at Stella, May 26
2022-05-26 11:00 - 21:00 | Stella, 1006 Melrose Ave., Iowa City, 52242
Eat for the Arts at Stella on Thursday May 26! 15% of your purchase will support free arts programming.
Eat in, take out, or order online!

West High, Liberty High, and City High Jazz Ensembles
2022-05-20 18:30 - 21:30 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by CHOMP

About: Iowa City West High School has three jazz bands with over 70 students involved. The Jazz Ensemble is a consistent participant in the Iowa Jazz Championships and regularly places in the top 8 4A bands in the state of Iowa. The jazz bands prepare four concerts throughout the year performing a wide variety of styles and genres of music. Recently, the jazz bands have performed at the Southeast Polk Jazz Invitational, LIberty Jazz Festival, Coe College Jazz Summit, Jazz in the Meadows, SEIBA Jazz Festival, and the Iowa Jazz Championships.

Contact Information:
Web: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/16912
Other links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwRtssvIlkU

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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About: Liberty High School is in its 7th year of existence and already achieving great success as a music department. This year, Liberty hosted 28 Jazz Bands from around the state at the 6th Annual Liberty Jazz Festival, while the Liberty Jazz Band has had performances at the Iowa City Jazz Festival, Simpson Jazz Festival, Coe College Jazz Summit, and the SEIBA Jazz Festival. Additionally, the Jazz Ensemble has performed 4 concerts in the community with many Liberty alumni performing in and around the Corridor in groups of their own.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

About: The City High Jazz Ensemble is the premier big band in the City High Jazz program. The band maintains an extensive performance calendar as they perform for concerts at City High, other performances in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor area, and jazz festivals in Iowa and Illinois. The City High Jazz Ensemble performs for the following events: the City High 4th Ave. Show Choir Winter Show, the City High Jazz Showcase (this year’s guest artist was trombonist/bari saxophonist Michael Dease) and the KCCK Corridor Jazz Project (this year’s guest artist was Kolbe Schnoebelen from the University of Northern Iowa). In addition, the band performs at the Liberty Jazz Festival, the Coe College Jazz Summit, the Jazz In The Meadows Festival (in Rolling Meadows, Illinois), the SEIBA District Jazz Festival and the Iowa Jazz Championships.

Contact Information:
Web: https://www.cityhighband.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/CityHighBands
https://www.instagram.com/cityhighbands/
https://twitter.com/CityHighBands

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Iowa Steel Band
2022-05-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Arts Share and Hyatt Place

About: The Iowa Steel Band, under the direction of Dr. Dan Moore, is among the most active touring ensembles from The UI School of Music. The band was formed in 1996 as an ensemble within the percussion studio at Iowa and typically features 15-20 performing members including undergraduate and graduate students.
For nearly 30 years, when most college students are packing their bags and heading home for summer vacation, members of the Iowa Steel Band load up into three university vans and a large equipment truck for a ten-day performance tour. Each Spring, the week after finals, the band travels throughout Iowa and the Midwest performing in schools, concert halls, community centers, shopping malls, train depots, churches, hospitals, treatment facilities, retirement homes, libraries, museums, parks, parking lots, and band shells—lots of band shells. Under the auspices of The Iowa Arts Share program Dr. Moore and the band have now performed in 47 of Iowa’s 99 counties and are still counting.

Contact Information:
Web: https://music.uiowa.edu/performing-opportunities/percussion-ensembles
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Eat for the Arts at Sanctuary Pub, May 11
2022-05-11 16:00 - 22:00 | Sanctuary Pub, 405 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Eat for the Arts at Sanctuary Pub on Wednesday May 11! 20% of your purchase will support free arts programming.
Eat in, take out, or order online!

Eat for the Arts at Short's Eastside, April 21
2022-04-21 11:00 - 20:00 | Short’s Eastside, 521 Westbury Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52245, United States
Eat for the Arts at Short’s Eastside on Thursday April 21! 15% of your purchase will support free arts programming.
Eat in, take out, or order online!

Eat for the Arts at Hudson's, March 27
2022-03-27 11:00 - 20:00 | Hudson’s Tap, 482 Highway 1 W, Iowa City, IA, 52246, United States
Eat for the Arts at Hudson’s Tap on Sunday March 27! 15% of your purchase will be donated to continue our free arts programming!
Eat in, take out, or order online!
