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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

People walk around downtown on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2017. Iowa City was named City of Literature by Unesco City of Literature.

MusicIC Festival cancels in-person programming

Naomi Hofferber, Arts & Culture Reporter May 6, 2020

The MusicIC Festival, coming up on its 10th anniversary, has officially cancelled in-person programming for this June, according to a press release by the UNESCO City of Literature.  The festival was...

Copies of various works of literature from Homer sit on a table during the Homerathon on the T. Anne Cleary walkway on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Classics Department goes digital, moving spring Homerathon online

Roxanna Barbulescu, Arts Reporter April 29, 2020

Last year, students and members of the University of Iowa community gathered on the T. Anne Cleary walkway to listen to volunteers read The Iliad. Their reading took over 24 hours. The event, known...

People walk in the Iowa City Pride parade parade with colorful balloons at Iowa City Pride on Saturday, June 15, 2019.

Iowa City Pride festival canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Naomi Hofferber, Senior Reporter April 20, 2020

The annual Iowa City Pride parade and festival for LGBTQ community members and allies have been canceled amid COVID-19 uncertainties and in efforts to combat the risk of a large-scale gathering, Iowa...

The marquee outside of the Englert theatre is shown with Mandolin Orange headlining on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

New Mission Creek dates and Refocus Film Festival to share September weekend

Josie Fischels and Madison Lotenschtein April 4, 2020

Downtown Iowa City will once again be bursting with artistic life this fall with the rescheduled 2020 Mission Creek Festival and  FilmScene’s newly launched Refocus Film Festival.  Both events will...

Mission Creek Underground showcases filmed performances during COVID-19 pandemic

Mission Creek Underground showcases filmed performances during COVID-19 pandemic

Megan Conroy, Arts Reporter April 2, 2020

Today would have been the third day of the 15th anniversary Mission Creek Festival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was postponed on March 12, but the Englert Theater staff didn’t leave...

Sidewalk Chalk performs at the Kum and Go stage during the 2019 80/35 Festival in downtown Des Moines on Saturday, July 13, 2019.

Des Moines cancels 80/35 Music Festival

Josie Fischels, Arts Editor March 30, 2020

The 2020 80/35 Music Festival at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines has been canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.  80/35 was scheduled for July 10 and 11. The 2020 lineup had yet to be announced.  According...

Lil Ronnie Belle hosts Gays Got Talent via Instagram live video on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

Iowa City resident hosts virtual talent show for LGBTQ performing artists

Josie Fischels, Arts Editor March 26, 2020

By means of a livestream on Instagram Wednesday evening, six performers showcased their talent virtually for the first round of “Gays Got Talent: a Virtual Talent Show for LGBT+ Artists.” The...

Iowa Youth Writing Project Associate Director Emily Spencer poses for a portrait on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in her office located inside Phillips Hall.

Elizabeth Tate High School finds another resource for struggling students through the Writing and Wellness Club

Pedro Barragan, Arts Reporter March 7, 2020

On Wednesday March 4, the Iowa Youth Writing Project hosted their monthly Writing and Wellness Club event at Tate High School. A program started by IYWP associate director Emily Spencer in November of...

Rebellious Russians  bring Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities joint show to Coralville

Rebellious Russians bring Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities joint show to Coralville

Samantha Murray, Arts Reporter March 6, 2020

The main performance hall of The Coralville Center for Performing Arts will soon fill with the deep rumble of intense compositions sharing the stage with pale flashes of dancing ballerinas. Orchestra Iowa...

Hancher to host 18th annual Nachte Raho dance competition

Hancher to host 18th annual Nachte Raho dance competition

Naomi Hofferber, Senior Reporter March 5, 2020

A Bollywood fusion battle is set to begin at Hancher this weekend, at the 18th-annual Nachte Raho dance competition. The University of Iowa will host the national dance competition Saturday evening at...

Comedian and magician Grant Freeman makes a man in the moon joke while telling a story at the Coralville Center for Performing Arts on Wednesday March 4, 2020.

Comedic magician Grant Freeman charmed audiences with controversial and magical comedy

Ashley Dawson, Arts Reporter March 5, 2020

Magician Grant Freeman entered the pink-lit Coralville Center for the Performing Arts stage on Wednesday night to a rock n’ roll drum cadence. Standing in a plain, gray t-shirt with jeans and a gray...

Irish folk band The Chieftains bring Irish culture, joy to Hancher

Irish folk band The Chieftains bring Irish culture, joy to Hancher

Naomi Hofferber, Senior Reporter March 4, 2020

A pitch from Paddy Maloney’s small tin whistle filled Hancher auditorium, light and fluttery, as his seat was lit by an overhead light on stage. One by one, instruments joined Maloney in his tune,...