Inexplicable things and the conjuring of tricks. This is the definition of magic. For Rob Lake, magic has always been a part of his life. When he was 10, he saw a magic show for the first time. “I...

1973. Los Angeles. A rundown burlesque club. Chances are, most have never been there. But beginning tonight, the opportunity to experience a gritty mystery set in this location is coming to the UI with...

Along with packing his ideas, Michael Billig realized he may also have to bring Wellington boots, long underwear, and a jumper for his trek across the pond to chilly Iowa City. Billig, a professor of...

Music fandom reached cult status with the Deadheads, a name lovingly bestowed upon those whose devotion to legendary band the Grateful Dead has never strayed. It’s not common to find fans of other bands...

“For all those readers who wanted every last sip of Sookie.” And so begins the short-story collection A Touch of Dead, from popular mystery fiction writer Charlaine Harris. The collection is just...

When Headlights takes the stage, be sure to wear deodorant and prepare to leave with wet hair. “We have a really good time on stage — a lot of sweating goes on in Headlights on stage,” vocalist/keyboardist...

The Unison Piano Duo has played everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Czech Vysocina Music Festival. But despite its travels, the husband and wife team cites Luther College in Decorah, Iowa — where both...

Funky yellow walls surround a living room, a crate full of vinyl records sits in the corner, and rabbit-adorned pillowcases lie across brightly colored couches. Children suddenly tear through the room...

Beer and bragging rights are at stake at the New Belgium/Minstrel Studios Battle of the Bands Finals. The showdown approaches as four Iowa City bands prepare for the final round of competition, hosted...

Earlier this year, rapper T.I., under house arrest and about to be sentenced to federal prison, filmed an MTV reality show titled “T.I.’s Road to Redemption,” centering on his meeting with youth...

This Is Spinal Tap The world of rock ’n’ roll is brimming with outrageous clichés. So much, in fact, that it needed to be made into a film. This Is Spinal Tap, originally released on March 2, 1984,...

Queens of the Stone Age The best driving music is hard, heavy, and fast. It gets you speeding tickets. It makes you drum on the steering wheel and cross the center line. While Josh Homme, Queens of the...