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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Artist Carlos Maldonado helps Oscar and Gael Maldonado up on a shark made of snow in Iowa City on Thursday, January 11, 2024. A snowstorm swept across Iowa on Tuesday, Jan. 9 and Iowa City reported 15 inches of snow as of 8 p.m. that day. The shark took six hours to form and paint.

Meet the artist behind the Iowa City ‘snow shark’ sculpture

Lily Czechowicz, Arts Reporter January 17, 2024

Carlos Maldonado, the artist behind the viral Iowa City snow shark, wants people to know he sells paintings, too. Maldonado’s sculpture captured national attention on Jan. 9 after he and his sons...

Des Moines based band Dirty Blonde performs at The Daily Iowan Headliners in The Daily Iowan newsroom on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Q&A | Iowa City band Dirty Blonde featured in DI Headliners

Natalie Dunlap, Assistant Digital Editor December 20, 2023

Dirty Blonde is an indie band consisting of University of Iowa students Charlie Bell and Eamon Reed and Drake student Nick Jackson. The band started in July 2021. This interview has been edited for...

Artist Allison Rowe’s, “Observed Changes and Their Causes” gallery as seen at Public Space One North in Iowa City on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. The installation is inspired by caregiving climate change and childhood. The gallery will be available for public viewing from Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 through Dec. 16, 2023.

UI assistant professor’s art compares modern motherhood to ongoing climate crisis

Zhenya Loughney, Arts Reporter December 12, 2023

University of Iowa assistant professor Allison Rowe explores the realities of raising a child amid a climate crisis in her recent exhibit at Public Space One “Observed Changes and their Causes.” Since...

Iowa City singer Bella Moss performs at The Daily Iowan Headliners in The Daily Iowan newsroom on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Q&A | Bella Moss

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor December 12, 2023

Bella Moss is the stage name of Iowa City singer, guitarist, and University of Iowa third-year student Bella Nekvinda, performing alongside a rotating band consisting of keyboardist and UI third-year...

Photo contributed by Jake Hannon.

Local foodie dishes out critiques of Iowa City restaurants

Lily Czechowicz, Arts Reporter November 30, 2023

During her year of pharmacy residency in West Palm Beach, Fl., Meredith Lumberg experienced a diverse, Cuban-influenced food scene. Still, the Iowa-raised food blogger said the culinary scene in Iowa...

Iowa City band Two Canes performs at The Daily Iowan Headliners in The Daily Iowan newsroom on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Q&A | Two Canes

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor November 28, 2023

Two Canes is an Iowa City-born punk rock band consisting of lead singer Myles Evangelista, guitarists Evan Weidl and Edwin Svoboda, drummer Chloe Weidl, and bassist Jack Moore. This interview has...

Photo by Greg Gayne/NBC, contributed by Eli Ward

Ask the Artist | Eli Ward from ‘The Voice’

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor November 5, 2023

At just 21 years old, the former University of Iowa long-distance runner Eli Ward has accomplished more than many of his college-aged peers. Hailing from Waterloo, Illinois, Ward competed on season...

Photo contributed by Jenna Brownlee

UI alum, artist behind 300-foot Iowa City Municipal Airport mural

Stella Shipman, Arts Editor October 18, 2023

Ever since attending the University of Iowa for her bachelor's in fine arts in graphic design, Des Moines-based artist Jenna Brownlee has made sure to revisit Iowa City at least once every year.  When...

American author John Irving interviews with The Daily Iowan at the Presidents Residence at the University of Iowa on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Irving spoke about his time at the University of Iowa as a wrestler and in the Writers Workshop, as well as the role Iowa has played in his writing. He will be speaking to a sold out crowd at Hancher Auditorium on Friday.

John Irving reflects on Iowa City, shares snippet of unpublished novel during visit

Natalie Dunlap, Assistant Digital Editor October 13, 2023

Literary icon John Irving returned to Iowa City’s writing community on Friday, where he was welcomed by a sold-out Hancher audience.  At 81 years old, Irving still has several novels left to...

UI Junior Dante Benjegerdes poses for a portrait at the Theatre Building on Monday, March 25, 2019. Now an alum, Benjegerdes is an assistant lighting designer for a theater in Minneapolis

UI alum to illuminate world premiere of trans-narrative children’s show

Stella Shipman, Arts Editor October 10, 2023

When sound and dialogue cannot convey emotions in a live stage production, lighting is essential to effectively show changes in mood and visually guide audiences across a stage. For the world premiere...

Photo Contributed by David Rosazza.

Shade of Blue: UI alumni band’s 30-year history

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor October 9, 2023

Lead vocalists Simone Green and Joan Ruffin of the Iowa City-rooted, Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame band Shade of Blue met as first-year students at the University of Iowa during their first college...

The band Early Girl performs at Gabe’s on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. They played songs from their 2023 album “Lovers Out To Pasture,” as well as their new song, “Evil Head.”

Iowa City princess-punk band Early Girl makes music for all

Zhenya Loughney, Arts Reporter October 3, 2023

Texas-born artist Aaron Longoria missed out on an “angsty-punk-teen” phase in their adolescence, but Iowa City’s live music scene led them to create the princess-punk band, Early Girl. During...