Performing arts at UI to take a new, socially distanced approach this fall
Kathryn Raver, Arts Reporter
August 6, 2020
The University of Iowa has adapted many of its courses and events in an attempt to provide a safe learning environment for students starting at the end of August. Classes in the departments of music, theater, and dance — fields which often require close contact — are looking particularly diffe...
Two months after original performance date, Shakespeare in the Park goes virtual
Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Editor
August 5, 2020
In Lower City Park, there stands a miniature, Elizabethan-style amphitheater, which has served as an outdoor stage for Riverside Theater’s free “Shakespeare in the Park” performances since 2000. But just as Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre shut down as the Bubonic Plague raged through Europe, COVID...
COVID-19 brings back vintage drive-in movie experience
Kathryn Raver, Arts Reporter
August 4, 2020
Since 2005, moviegoers have sprawled out across the Pentacrest lawn every summer to watch a film projected in front of MacBride Hall. This year, the Summer of the Arts — which hosts their Free Movie Series every summer at the Pentacrest — had to reinvent their tradition because of the COVID-19 pande...
FilmScene to host outdoor film series coming to Northside
Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Editor
July 30, 2020
While the act of sitting inside a cool, dark theater may be excluded from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new option for local moviegoers has arrived: free, outdoor, socially distant movies, provided by a partnership between FilmScene and the Iowa City Downtown District. The five-week serie...
UI dance faculty and students turn canceled performance into experiential podcast
Peter Anders, Arts Reporter
July 23, 2020
‘Mammals In Captivity,’ a modern contemporary dance created by University of Iowa Dance Department faculty and students, is coming to audiences in podcast form. With the COVID-19 pandemic, choreographer and director of the project Stephanie Miracle said that an in-person event was no longer...
New UI book club to center around LGBTQ authors and stories
Kathryn Raver, Arts Reporter
July 23, 2020
While stuck inside this summer, University of Iowa student Corinne Hoffman decided to do her part to bring the campus community together in the fall through a common interest: reading. Hoffman will lead an LGBTQ book club starting in August, featuring books penned by LGBTQ authors. The idea stemm...
Board of Trustees, staff dispute Old Creamery terminations
Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Editor
July 21, 2020
On July 2, the Old Creamery Theatre in Amana, Iowa, announced that it would suspend the rest of its 2020 season and terminate its entire staff — a total of 11 employees — with the exception of the General Manager Pat Wagner. Since then, the Board of Trustees and the former employees of th...
Mary Trump’s character analysis on President Donald Trump drops shocking revelations for readers of any political party
Peter Anders, Arts Reporter
July 20, 2020
From the pages of Mary Trump’s book — where she reveals stories of the Trump family all while analyzing President Donald Trump’s character — it is clear that Mary Trump has been preparing to write this book for a long time. The president’s niece gives an in-depth analysis of Donald Trump...
Local bars consider future for providing live entertainment
Megan Conroy, Arts Reporter
July 16, 2020
Coronavirus cases in Johnson County have been rising since June 15, motivating some downtown Iowa City businesses like Oasis and Revival to close their doors once again. However, a few local bars have decided after a short closing period to reopen their doors, though the question remains for many whether ...
Bookstores feel impact as the COVID-19 plot thickens
Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Editor
July 15, 2020
When walking into The Haunted Bookshop, customers and perusers are greeted by the worn, musty smell of books and the occasional feline friend curled up by a windowsill. Nothing but the gentle turn of a page or the sound of soft footsteps can be heard while sifting through endless knowledge on it...
Review | G-Eazy’s ‘Everything’s Strange Here’ disappoints
Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Editor
July 13, 2020
Last week, I received a notification from Spotify saying that G-Eazy, an American hip-hop artist and rapper, dropped his latest album, Everything’s Strange Here. I immediately started listening to the album from the first song, like you’re supposed to. But the music that I was welcomed with was...
Hancher to adopt self-sustaining model following fund reduction from UI
Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Editor
July 10, 2020
Beginning in fiscal year 2021, the University of Iowa will gradually deplete General Education Fund support provided annually to Hancher Auditorium. The funding the venue receives from the UI goes to paying employee salaries at the performing arts venue. The reduction comes after the UI outlined addition...