Summer of the Arts

Office Closed
2022-12-22 - 2023-01-02
The Summer of the Arts office will be closed December 22, 2022 through January 2, 2023. We will resume business hours on Tuesday, January 3.

Eat for the Arts at Pancheros, Riverside Drive
2023-01-24 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Pancheros – Riverside Dr., 965 S. Riverside Dr., Iowa City, 52246
Eat for the Arts on Tuesday January 24 at Pancheros on Riverside Drive, as part of their Queso for a Cause program! Enjoy a delicious burrito and burrito bowl and add all the extras!
Visit the Riverside Drive location between 5:00-8:00PM. Pancheros will donate 100% of the sales on all EXTRAS during this time period. Extras include: queso, extra guac, extra meat, chips & queso, and chips & guac.

Eat for the Arts at The Stuffed Olive
2023-02-07 15:00 - 23:59 | The Stuffed Olive, 121 E. College St., Iowa City, 52240
Eat for the Arts on Tuesday, February 7 at The Stuffed Olive! 15% of your purchase will support our free arts programming in 2023.
Enjoy a martini and share a tapas and flatbread with friends!
Martini Menu
Food Menu

Eat for the Arts at Short's Eastside
2023-02-15 11:00 - 20:00 | Short’s Eastside, 521 Westbury Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52245, United States
Eat for the Arts on Wednesday, February 15 at Short’s Eastside! 15% of your purchase will support our free arts programming in 2023.
Enjoy a Baxter or Quimby (or your favorite) burger, or grab chicken fingers and cheese fries!

Eat for the Arts at Stella
2023-03-08 11:00 - 21:00 | Stella, 1006 Melrose Ave., Iowa City, 52242
Eat for the Arts on Wednesday, March 8 at Stella. 15% of your purchase will support free arts programming!

Eat for the Arts at Tavern Blue
2023-03-23 16:00 - 21:00 | Tavern Blue, 805 2nd St., Coralville, 52241
Eat for the Arts at Tavern Blue on Thursday, March 23. 10% of your purchase will support free arts programming!
Eat in, take out, or make it delivery!

Summer in the Spring: Celebrating 40 Years of the Iowa Arts Festival
2023-03-26 14:00 - 17:00 | The Englert Theatre, 221 East Washington Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Come join us for a taste of summertime in the spring as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Iowa Arts Festival with an eclectic cast of local all-stars. Proceeds from this matinee show, featuring The Beaker Brothers, Dandelion Stompers, The Recliners, The Savage Hearts, Winterland, and Dave Zollo & the Body Electric will benefit Summer of the Arts, the nonprofit organization that stages the Iowa Arts Festival, The Iowa City Jazz Festival, the Friday Night Concert Series, and more. Audiences will be treated to a short, lively set from each of these acts, pictures and video of epic Iowa Arts Festival performances, and perhaps a few other surprises as well. There will also be a silent auction where you can win items that include iconic musical memorabilia, art objects, and signed posters commemorating the rich history of free live music in downtown Iowa City.

Eat for the Arts at Hudson's Southside Tap
2023-04-12 11:00 - 21:00 | Hudson’s Tap, 482 Highway 1 W, Iowa City, IA, 52246, United States
Eat for the Arts on Wednesday April 12 at Hudson’s Southside Tap! 15% of your purchase will support free arts programming.

Eat for the Arts at Vine Tavern & Eatery-Iowa City
2023-04-25 11:00 - 2023-04-26 02:00 | Vine Tavern & Eatery, 330 E. Prentiss St., Iowa City, 52240
Eat for the Arts on Tuesday April 25 at the Iowa City Vine Tavern & Eatery. 15% of your purchase will support free arts programming. Eat in, take out, or order online!

Eat for the Arts at Short's Downtown
2023-05-10 16:00 - 21:00 | Short’s Downtown, 18 South Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Eat for the Arts at Short’s Downtown on Wednesday May 10! 15% of your purchase will support free arts programming. Eat in, take out, or order online!

Iowa Steel Band
2023-05-12 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!

Liberty, City, and West High School Jazz Ensembles
2023-05-19 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 Shive-Hattery
6:30PM: Liberty High School
7:35PM: City High School
8:40PM: West High School

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:
None yet!

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:
None yet!

Top Gun Maverick (2022)
2023-05-20 21:00 - 23:10 | Brown Deer Golf Course, 1900 Country Club Dr., Coralville, 52241
Sponsored by the City of Coralville
Run time: 2hr 10min
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelley, Miles Teller
Plot: After decades of military service, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is now pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot while avoiding the promotion that would ground him. Training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a special assignment, Maverick must confront his past, including the son of his deceased best friend.
Watch the trailer HERE
*Start times are an estimation based on sunset and are subject to change.

Eat for the Arts at Tribute Eatery & Bar
2023-05-25 11:00 - 21:00 | Tribute Eatery & Bar, 901 E. 2nd Ave. Suite 100, Coralville, IA, 52241, United States
Eat for the Arts at Tribute Eatery & Bar on Thursday May 25. 10% of your purchase will support free arts programming. Eat in, take out, or order online!

Savage Hearts with Liberty High MC’s and Free Strings
2023-05-26 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by The Children’s Dental Center

About: Annie Savage and The Savage Hearts featuring Liberty High School’s Hear My Voice will prove to be a genre defying night of first ever in the history of the stage-type performances. You can expect genre defying moves from MC’s to bluegrass and everything in between. Music speaks where words fail and this is going to be one of those kinds of performance events.
The Savage Hearts are a fiery roots group that features the talents of Alex Flesher, Max Lipnick, and TCR fave Tim Arnold with bass player TBA. Their drill it to the wall harmonies and virtuoso instrumentals under promise and over deliver.
Hear My Voice is a pop ensemble founded by Savage at Liberty High School and many of the students you will see are OG members of the group. It is through THEIR trust and leadership that this group has become the exciting group you will see on the stage. From a foundation in hip hop to forays into rock and roots…this is a special group of humans who bring the heat when they grace the stage.

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

Uniphonics
2023-05-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Northside Market Place, Market Street, Linn Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Tru Art Color Graphics

About: Since forming in Iowa City in 2007, The Uniphonics performed in 15 states, played at notable festivals, and opened for platinum selling artists. They’ve released 3 albums: Truth Be Told (2009), Crawl (2010), and The Uniphonics (2020). “Crawl” and “The Uniphonics” featured collaborations with internationally known artists, including Grammy Award winning jazz legend Robin Eubanks, Twin Cities vocal phenom Heatbox, and Iowa guitar legend Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin.
Their sound combines hip hop, funk, soul, jazz, reggae, and latin. They’ve been described as “taking the jam-band approach to hip hop,” with virtuosic live band instrumentation and improvisation.
The Uniphonics are a who’s who of the Eastern Iowa music scene. The band shares members with other regional and national acts, including Diplomats of Solid Sound, The Channel Cats, Plastic Relations, The Swampland Jewels, Jumbies, and dozens more.
The Uniphonics are: Forrest Heusinkveld: Drums, Vocals, Bethann Heidgerken: Vocals, Craig Heidgerken: Guitar, Derek Thorn (aka MC Animosity): Vocals, Nassor Cooper: Vocals, Eddie McKinley: Saxophone, Ryan Casteel: Bass

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.theuniphonics.com/
Other links: www.facebook.com/theuniphonics
www.instagram.com/theuniphonics

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Art Fair Open
2023-06-02 17:00 - 20:00

Culinary Delights and Beverage Garden Open
2023-06-02 17:00 - 22:00

Funktastic Five
2023-06-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by McFadden, Rocklin, and Associates

About: William “Whistle” Jones has been lead singer of Funktastic 5 since its inception. His smooth vocals and velvety tone add spark to the Funktastic 5 sound! Craig Bentley started playing guitar at the age of 12 and has never stopped. Kindred Priest has been playing bass for close to 30 years. Tony Carton has been playing drums most of his life and spent his early years working with many local and regional acts as well as national touring groups and recording artists. This group is sure to get the crowd on their feet and dancing the night away.

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

Diplomats of Solid Sound
2023-06-02 20:00 - 21:30 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Diplomats of Solid Sound is an American band and song writing powerhouse. Their mixture of old school funk, soul, and Americana has appeared in dozens of hit TV shows and movies throughout their 25 year career. With more than 50 million streams, the Diplomats have a dedicated following in Europe and North America.
The Ladies:
Sarah Cram – vocals
Katharine Ruestow – vocals
Abbie Sawyer – vocals
The Gents:
Nate “Count” Basinger – organ, piano
Forrest Heusinkveld – drums, percussion
Eddie McKinley – tenor saxophone
Douglas Roberson – guitar
Nolan Schroeder – baritone saxophone
Marty Christensen – bass

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.diplomatsofsolidsound.com/
Other links: www.facebook.com/diplomatsofsolidsound
www.instagram.com/diplomatsofsolidsound
www.twitter.com/diplosolidsound

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Art Fair and Emerging Artist Area Open
2023-06-03 10:00 - 19:00
Please note that the Emerging Artist Area is in Old Capitol Mall, 201 S. Clinton St.

Pint Size Polkas
2023-06-03 11:00 - 11:40 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Mike Schneider started playing the accordion at the age of six after hearing America’s Polka King Frankie Yankovic perform live for the first time at a parish festival in Milwaukee, WI. Mike’s father, Paul, planted the seeds of polka early, pulling his accordion out of the closet from time to time to entertain his only son. So if you were wondering how a six-year-old boy can go from accordion player to an acclaimed Wisconsin polka band leader, now you know!

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

Iowa City Community Band
2023-06-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by fix! and B&M Construction

About: The Iowa City Community Band is a volunteer organization, approved and sanctioned by the city of Iowa City. Our concerts in Iowa City and Coralville parks during June and July include a mixture of marches, music from Broadway musicals, and old favorites and sometimes feature a guest soloist. Concerts are either in the afternoon on Sunday or early evening during the week – select the “Concerts” tab above for current dates, times, and locations. The band also plays concerts at various venues in the Iowa City area, including Arts Fest in downtown Iowa City, Ice Cream Social in Upper City Park in Iowa City, Coralville Thursday Night Concert Series, and Coralville’s Fourth of July Celebration. We have also performed at events in area towns such as North Liberty Fun Days and West Branch Friday Night Concert Series. The ICCB also presents a winter holiday concert in the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City .Members of the ICCB come from all walks of life in the Iowa City area, ranging from high school students through retirees. Our conductor is Rob Medd, Director of Music, Iowa City West High. The ICCB has performed continuously since 1982. Our concerts are free to the public.

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.iccband.org/iccbConcerts.html
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/ICCBand/

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

ABC's: Arts, Books, & Children, produced by the Iowa City Public Library
2023-06-03 11:00 - 15:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Produced by the Iowa City Public Library, the Ped Mall will be full of activities fun for the entire family!

Culinary Delights and Merchandise Booth Open
2023-06-03 11:00 - 22:00

The 781s: ICPL House Band
2023-06-03 11:55 - 12:25 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: MEANING OF THE BAND’S NAME: 781 is the Dewey Decimal number for music.
WHY IT MATTERS: The 781s are drawn from staff who work at the Library, representing every part of ICPL, and together, cover a lot of musical ground.
THE DEEPER LOOK: Still very much in its early stages, The 781s began as casual conversations and short chats made in passing that soon lead to a general call out to all staff to gauge interest in meeting outside of work to play music. Seven answered (one has since pursued their dreams by moving out of state). After six months of navigating varied schedules and pressing duties they had their first practice. A little less than 4 months later they played their first gig as one of the early acts at the Longfellow Neighborhood Front Porch Fest.
MEET THE 781s:
Hanna Busse: Library Aide, Adult Services. Has been making music her whole life and has been playing the violin since age 4, and fiddle since age 8 (these are the same instrument, but with very different techniques and cultural histories.), Hanna was involved with “America’s favorite show choir” as per Parade Magazine while in high school and has studied classical voice and music theory. As part of 781s: Vocals and Violin.
Alyssa Hanson: Web Specialist, builds and maintains ICPL’s website, assists with catalog development, helps people on the Info Desk, and much more. She has many years of vocal practice and experience. As part of 781s: Vocals, of course.
Amanda Ray: Supervising Librarian. Played school orchestra all through grade school, Founding member of wizard rock band The Cheering Charms, Former regular at Metal Mondays (hair metal karaoke) at Cumberland’s bar (R.I.P.) in Charleston, SC. As part of 781s: Electric Guitar, Accordion, Kazoo, and some Vocals.
Brent Palmer: IT Coordinator. As part of 781s: Acoustic Guitar. He’s the quiet one.
Peter Fegley: Senior Development Assistant. 25 years of music experience playing drums/percussion, piano, bass, guitar. As part of 781s: Drums (his other musical talents tapped into as needed)
Paul Bethke: Cataloger, Children’s librarian, Bookmobile driver. Has been involved with a number of local bands over the last 25 years, most currently with: Arthur Itis and the Decrepitones, Wandering Pint, and SloMoBop, doing rock, blues, pop, alt, and jazz covers. As part of 781s: Bass, general enabler and keeper of forward motion.

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

Beverage Garden Open
2023-06-03 12:00 - 22:00

Bernemann Brothers
2023-06-03 12:30 - 13:30 | Iowa Healthcare Main Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 16 N Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
About: Since the mid-2010s, The Bernemann Brothers Band has been providing entertainment to music lovers all over Eastern Iowa. Whether they are performing their own original music that is deeply rooted in rock and roll, classic country, blues etc., or playing renditions of their favorite tunes by other talented musicians and artists that make up those aforementioned musical genres… The Bernemann Brothers Band is a must see musical act that pleases all listeners. The BBB released their debut album “Gone West” in November of 2020, and is currently writing/recording the second full release which is slated to be out in late 2022/early 2023. The band is a local “super-group” of sorts that is made up of musicians that you have no-doubt seen playing in other bands/projects up and down The Corridor. Rounded out by musicians Matt Bernemann, Ryan Bernemann, Ben Schmidt, Randall Davis, Rich Wagor, Sean Seaton, and Sam Drella – The Bernemann Brothers Band will entertain you with their eclectic mix of old and new arrangements, guitar driven sound, tight harmonies, and overall good times!

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

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Life's Your Stage Dance Co.
2023-06-03 12:40 - 13:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Blick Art Materials

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!

Sparkles (City High Cheer)
2023-06-03 13:15 - 13:25 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Blick Art Materials

About: City High Sparkles is an inclusive cheer and dance team for students with and without disabilities at City High School. The goal of Sparkles is to foster meaningful participation in extracurricular and athletic activities at the high school level and forge social ties among students of all abilities.

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