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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

Lily Giddings poses for a portrait in Prairie Lights on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Giddings was awarded the Isabel Sparks President's Award for a piece she wrote while studying abroad in Ireland.

Student writers earn Isabel Sparks President’s Awards for Ireland-inspired works

Charlie Christensen, Arts Reporter April 28, 2025

Inspiration can come from anywhere. For Lillian Giddings and Madeline Riske, it came from the majestic mountains and calming beaches of Ireland. From March 19-22, the Sigma Tau Delta convention...

A projector is seen in Iowa City on May 4, 2023.

Review | ‘The Shrouds’ belies thought-provoking horror with stilted script

Grant Darnell, Arts Reporter April 28, 2025

To its credit, “The Shrouds” begins by taking a bold swing. It decides to use its best scene right away. After the ominous and ethereal opening credits, director David Cronenberg presents an...

Vocalist Shara Nova sings during ‘Penelope, a Song Cycle’ performance at the James theater on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The music began at 7:30 p.m. and was a part of MusicIC, a festival celebrating music and literature in the Iowa City area.

Review | Critically acclaimed duo Sarah Kirkland Snider and Shara Nova stun at The James Theater

Laurel Preston, Arts Reporter April 27, 2025

Enraptured audiences sat with awe-struck faces as they watched the ethereal Shara Nova, a Grammy-nominated singer, cast her siren song in The James theater on April 26. The song cycle, “Penelope,”...

Review | ‘Andor’ season two doesn’t miss a beat

Review | ‘Andor’ season two doesn’t miss a beat

Grant Darnell, Arts Reporter April 24, 2025

The opening minutes of “Andor” season two find our hero Cassian in the middle of yet another rebel escapade — this time, to steal a particular TIE fighter under the guise of an imperial test...

Dec 14, 1980; New York, NY, USA; A vigil for John Lennon in Central Park, NY drew 100,000 mourners. The tribute, which seemed to recall the words "...And the world will be one." from a Lennon song, was in response to the request of Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, that his fans observe 10 minutes of silence for him.

Review | ‘One to One’ is a step inside the ‘70s

Laurel Preston, Arts Reporter April 23, 2025

“One to One” is named after Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s concert that took place on August 30, 1972, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The concert was put on to raise money for children...

Opinion | Celebrating 30 years of ‘Toy Story’

Opinion | Celebrating 30 years of ‘Toy Story’

Grant Darnell, Arts Reporter April 23, 2025

30 years ago, the world changed forever. In November 1995, Pixar’s feature debut “Toy Story” was released, shattering conventions for how animated films were produced. Woody and Buzz’s moving...

Soulja Boy performs during The Swag Tour at Wildwood on Tuesday, April 22 2025.

Photos: Soulja Boy at Wildwood Saloon

Emma Calabro, Visual Editor April 23, 2025

Fans packed Wildwood Saloon to see Soulja Boy perform in Iowa City on Tuesday night. The Swag Tour, presented by SODMG & First Fleet Concerts was relocated to Wildwood from Gabe's. Hundreds of fans...

Photo contributed by Emma Isenhart.

Daily Iowan reporter sees Rome mourn the loss of Pope Francis

Emma Isenhart, Arts Reporter April 22, 2025

As the sun rose over the stone of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Monday, bells echoed through the square. Groups of visitors were gathering for their pilgrimage through the holy doors just as the...

A Black Angel Paloma, a Tequila Verde, and a Family Therapy cocktail are seen at The Black Angel in Iowa City on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The Black Angel opened in 2023.

Cocktail Column | The Black Angel casts a spell with delicious drinks

Stella Shipman, Managing Editor April 22, 2025

While the location of The Black Angel restaurant on Iowa Avenue may not literally be “cursed,” as Iowa City locals would say, the good food, live music, and tasty drinks certainly cast a spell. Co-owner...

Grace McCabe introduces a screening of “Dancer in the Dark,” a 2000 movie starring Bjork that begins Filmscene’s “Cannes-celled” film series at the Chauncey in Iowa City on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The films selected were panned at the Cannes film festival, but offered to the Filmscene audience for reconsideration.

FilmScene encourages us to give films a second chance

Hannah Childers, Arts Reporter April 22, 2025

FilmScene is giving audiences a chance to revisit controversial films that were once booed at the Cannes Film Festival throughout April. On April 16, the theater screened Lars von Trier’s film, “Dancer...

Chance Kirchhof, co-owner of Critical Hit Games, poses for a portrait in Iowa City on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

Iowa City arts businesses feel Trump’s tariffs

Grant Darnell, Arts Reporter April 22, 2025

Among the arts-adjacent Iowa City business set to be impacted by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, a universal sentiment arose. Uncertainty. Since his inauguration in January, Trump has repeatedly...

Students work on a production exercise in the Becker Communication Studies Building in Iowa City on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Film/Video Production: Selected Topics or CINE: 4821 is a course that focuses on genres, issues, or processes in the art of filmmaking. This semester, taught by Patrick Wimp, is focused on directing for film and television.

Filmmakers around Iowa City utilize the uniquely supportive community

Charlie Hickman and Kyrsten White April 22, 2025

Iowa may not have nearly the same level of glitz and glamor as the Hollywood Hills, but the state’s filmmaking network is strong. Thanks to filmmaker communities like the one present in Iowa City,...