Skating through the summer: the return of roller skating during COVID-19
Megan Conroy, Arts Reporter
September 8, 2020
Sunshine poured onto the pavement as Ellie Zupancic whirred past skateboarders on her slightly faded, white roller skates. She dropped into the graffiti-laden concrete bowl of the Iowa City Skatepark, wind whipping her blonde hair behind her as she glided effortlessly over the smooth stone. Inspired by pe...
Online performances increases accessibility, pose new challenges for fine arts
Jenna Post, Arts Reporter
September 2, 2020
This fall, stages have been swapped for computer screens. The performing arts at the University of Iowa have taken a particularly hard hit over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. As students start rehearsals for their first shows, recitals, and performances of the year, their departments have had t...
UI Nonfiction Writing Program sees changes going into fall semester
Madison Lotenschtein and Josie Fischels
August 26, 2020
Amid a summer of protests and societal push for change, the University of Iowa’s Nonfiction Writing Program will see both internal and external shifts in the near future, starting immediately this fall. Students have called for the program to become a more racially equal, diverse environment to le...
121 E. College St.: Union Bar and its earlier iterations were home to many Hawkeye nightlife memories
Alexandra Skores, News Editor
May 11, 2020
Ten-cent cold, foamy beer specials, hit tunes spun by nighttime DJs, and a slick glass dance floor illuminated by kaleidoscopic colored lights — since the late 1970s, 121 E. College St. has been where arguably tens of thousands of Iowa City residents and Hawkeyes have made their fondest memories. Now known...
COVID-19 pandemic forces UI pianists to adjust to new dynamic
Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Editor
April 21, 2020
When Gustavo do Carmo heard that the University of Iowa decided to continue instruction online, he began to record himself playing English, Italian, and German songs, including opera arias and musical theatre pieces, and email it to the voice studio soloists he works with. The UI music-arts doctoral...
The stories behind the shoelace: Sneakerhead culture and its economic rise in Iowa City
Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
March 12, 2020
Slipping on a pair of Air Force Ones Mid Tops, Elliott Martin’s white sneakers serve a deeper purpose for him than just protecting his feet — they’re a documentation of his travels. The University of Iowa freshman has written down the names of several cities on his shoes, which now bear ...
Midwestern creators push for a more nuanced definition of Midwestern art and detail
Addie Bushnell, Arts Reporter
March 5, 2020
The Midwest: red barns, fields of corn, and gravel roads winding through small, rural towns. Renowned artists like painter Grant Wood and songwriter John Prine have found inspiration in the rolling farmland and down-to-earth attitude of this area, rich in agriculture and heart. From Wood’s depiction...
Growing happiness: becoming a plant parent provides a connection to nature and benefits mental health
Ashley Dawson, Arts Reporter
February 19, 2020
With diverse greenery spilling over the white windowsill, the air smells fresh and natural upon entering Kali Schelby’s cozy Iowa City apartment. The self-proclaimed “plant mom” said she loves the livelihood plants bring into the space, especially in the cold wintertime. Her plants not only ...
Hookups and heartbreaks: Navigating the modern dating field
Naomi Hofferber, Senior Reporter
February 12, 2020
Hookup: It’s a word that can mean anything, from a makeout to a variety of sexual activities, and it’s the key descriptor in the culture of relationships that college students are navigating. Hookup culture, aided by dating apps, has permeated the traditional methods of dating, changing the g...
Self-publishing: bringing local authors to success, debt, or a route of possibility
Kyler Johnson, Arts Reporter
February 5, 2020
At first glance, one would be hard pressed to spot a difference between traditionally-published and self-published books. However, the path from conception to publication is very different. Detailing personal experiences with the modern process of self-publishing, three Iowa residents help give insight t...
Painting the town purple: The Color Purple comes to Hancher
Jenna Post, Arts Reporter
January 22, 2020
The Color Purple has gained massive popularity since its literary début in 1982. Whether the story is on the page, screen, or stage, it has resonated with audiences for decades. Now, the fourth national tour of its musical adaptation is currently making its way to Iowa City for performances on Jan. 24-25....
The power of the force: The end of the Star Wars saga is nearly here
![“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” begins where “The Force Awakens” left off, with Rey (Daisy Ridley) having tracked down Luke Skywalker. [Walt Disney Pictures]](https://dailyiowan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ENTER-HOLIDAY-MOVIE-SEASON-—-IN-2-AK-475x277.jpg)
Madison Lotenschtein, Arts Reporter
December 11, 2019
Bright blue letters fade into the dark screen, readying audiences with its preliminary, “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” Members of this multi-generation audience sit with bated breath, waiting for the soaring sound of the first note in the Star Wars main title theme song. On Dec. 20,...