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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

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, played by Mary Jane Knight, argues with The Commentator, played by Phillip Lopez, during a performance of Scalia/Ginsburg at the Riverside Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. The opera was written by Derrick Wang and will be showing Sept. 5-15.

Review | ‘Scalia/Ginsburg’ is a laugh-out-loud funny courtroom opera

Charlie Hickman, Arts Editor September 11, 2024

The greatest feature of art is its ability to reflect life. Art can offer an escape in many forms during a contentious, stressful election year such as this, whether through film, music, television,...

Photo contributed by Harper Steele

Q&A | Esteemed former SNL writer Harper Steele opens up about the importance of friendship ahead of new film, ‘Will and Harper’

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter September 11, 2024

Harper Steele is an American writer and filmmaker from Iowa City. She worked on sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live from 1995-2008, during which time she was promoted to the role of writing supervisor...

Mar 10, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colman Domingo at the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Review | ‘Sing Sing’ plays the true events of a prison theatre program to a hopeful tune

Charlie Hickman, Arts Editor September 10, 2024

Despite the foreboding walls of Sing Sing Correctional Facility, an infamous maximum-security prison in New York, sunlight consistently finds a way through the barred windows, no matter the time of day....

Emily Salmonson pours a non-alcoholic blueberry honey thyme shrub at The Green House in Iowa City on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. The Green House is one of many bars in Iowa City that offers non-alcoholic drinks to patrons.

A bar without alcohol? Unthinkable to some, ideal for others

Kayla Person and Kate Wolfe September 10, 2024

In January 2024, Unimpaired, the only dry bar in Iowa City, closed its doors for good after being in business for just over two years. Its failure was a stark contrast to the thriving downtown Iowa...

Hannah Bonner answers audience questions during an Ask the Author event held at Prairie Lights Bookstore on Friday, Sept. 6, featuring authors Hannah Bonner and Dan Wriggins. Bonner and Wriggins read excerpts from each of their latests books, ‘Another Woman’ and ‘Prince of Grass’.

Ask the Author | Hannah Bonner sheds light on the inspiration behind her debut book of poems

Charlotte Ericson, Arts Reporter September 10, 2024

Hannah Bonner is a recent postgraduate student at the University of Iowa’s Creative Nonfiction MFA program. She has worked as a film and literary critic in addition to her writing career. Bonner...

Javi Rivera pours a spicy mango jalapeño margarita at Coa Cantina in Iowa City on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. The bar is a popular destination for signature cocktails, while also providing non-alcoholic options.

Coa Cantina nails spicy and sweet with these cocktails of the week

Stella Shipman, Managing Editor September 10, 2024

Just up an eerily lit stairwell off of Clinton Street, bass music pounding louder with each step, are the sleek wooden bars and brick studio walls of Coa Cantina, Iowa City’s beloved tequila bar. Despite...

Creative Commons

Point/Counterpoint | Is ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ another victim of the sequel curse?

Kayla Person and Emma Isenhart September 9, 2024

NO It’s a rarity to see a sequel live up to the original. Within Hollywood, “Jaws: The Revenge” and “Grease 2” haunt franchises and filmmakers who dream of a second installment. Once in...

Customers enter The James Theater in Iowa City on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. The theater's latest production is a play that features a post-apocalyptic Johnson County.

Review | The James Theater’s latest production presents a post-apocalyptic Iowa City

Riley Dunn, Digital Editor September 9, 2024

Assassins, cults, and the undead take center stage in The James Theater’s latest production, “Once Upon a Time in the People’s Republic of Johnson County.” The play, set against the backdrop...

Attendees talk with David Johnson at his art exhibit hosted by ArtiFactory in Iowa City on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. David earned his BFA in painting, drawing, and printmaking at the University of Iowa and later earned his MFA at the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Review | Iowa City’s ArtiFactory hosts David Johnson’s collection of prints

Kayla Person, Arts Reporter September 8, 2024

On the evening of Sept. 6, David Johnson, a University of Iowa alumni, displayed a collection of prints at the ArtiFactory Gallery. The collection showcases his talent and proclivity toward the mediums...

A child plays with beads during a Sensory Saturday event at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Attendees glued various sensory objects like feathers, googly eyes, beads, fabric, and paper to popsicle sticks.

‘Sensory Saturdays’ provides an inclusive community for Iowa City youth

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter September 8, 2024

The Robert A. Lee Recreation Center’s arts and crafts room was already open, with a single long, narrow table in the center of the space. On top of it was a container of googly eyes, a bag of popsicle...

Photo contributed by Stanley Museum communications and marketing coordinator Mahvish Farid.

Ask the Artist | Jiha Moon debuts new mural at Stanley Museum of Art

Flynn Milligan, Arts Reporter September 5, 2024

The Stanley Museum of Art stands on the outskirts of downtown Iowa City. Its modern architecture holds pieces from many household names for students and citizens of Iowa City alike to gaze at with awe....

Natalie Fulscher performs for 28 Days Later during a battle of the bands, hosted by University of Iowa SCOPE productions, at Iowa Memorial Union’s River Amphitheater on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Local bands included; 28 Days Later, The Bits, One More Hour, and Kobe Williams and the Fantasy.

Photos: 2024 Battle of the Bands hosted by SCOPE Productions

Jordan Barry, Photojournalist September 5, 2024

University of Iowa SCOPE productions hosted a battle of the bands at the Iowa Memorial Union’s River Amphitheater Wednesday night.  Approximately 70 people attended the event, with many arriving...