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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

Kimberly Datchuk moderates a panel with Oluwafemi Adeagbo, Laura Cottrell, and Saba Khan Vlach (left to right) during the panel “Keith Haring, Censorship, & the Power of Art” at
the Iowa City Public Library on Sept. 26, 2024. The panelists were involved in education and spoke about the impact of banning books on elementary school students.

Fighting for unrestricted access to information in Iowa City

Emma Isenhart, Arts Reporter October 1, 2024

School libraries and art rooms are havens of inclusivity and information for children. Teachers take pride in creating a safe space where students can explore and express themselves most authentically. Public...

Photo Illustration by DI Staff

Review | Riordan delivers a fall treat to Percy Jackson fans with “Wrath of the Triple Goddess”

Riley Dunn, Digital Editor October 1, 2024

If the last decade of reading Rick Riordan books has taught me anything, it’s that Percy Jackson never fails to get into trouble — and I never fail to read about it. Riordan’s latest book,...

Smith Likongwe addresses the audience during an International Writer Program panel held in the Iowa City Public Library on Sept. 13. The panel focused on storytelling in the digital age.

The weight of the world is in the word

Haya Hussain, Arts Reporter October 1, 2024

The defining attribute that makes a writer a writer is debatable — it’s a job title, a history of published work, or an ambition to actualize the abstract. Most of all, though, what makes a writer...

Patti Smith sings during a reading and performance at the Englert Theatre during the Infinite Dream Festival on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Smith is an author, singer-songwriter, and activist who sang with her band, played guitar, and read from her award-winning writing during her two shows.

Patti Smith takes the stage for two nights at Infinite Dream Festival

Olin Myhre and Kate Wolfe September 30, 2024

Iowa City audience members brought the punk to The Englert Theatre on Friday night — or, as close to punk as Iowa City could offer the iconic Patti Smith. A multigenerational group of fans lined...

Erin Birler, a student at the University of Iowa, waits for her classes to start on the UI campus on Sept. 18. Birler said she rarely listens to podcasts and prefers to listen to music instead.

Appreciating literary art with audiobooks, ADHD, and attention spans

Haya Hussain, Arts Reporter September 24, 2024

Discussions on whether the digitization of literature deprives people of the physical experience of reading have taken the literary community by storm. Thousands are left wondering if the introduction...

University of Iowa SCOPE members pose for a photo 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. (Jordan Barry/The Daily Iowan)

The job market for the arts is bleak. This panel shows there’s still hope.

Flynn Milligan, Arts Reporter September 22, 2024

Arts industries can be hard to break into for students. The Englert Theatre hosted an event with the help of FilmScene and SCOPE — a student-led organization that brings concerts and entertainment...

Contributed by Reece Craven

Ask the Author | UI creative writing student Reece A. Caven shares his independent publishing experience

Charlie Hickman, Arts Editor September 17, 2024

Reece A. Caven is a senior at the University of Iowa studying creative writing. Caven decided he wanted to pursue writing while attending basic training in the National Guard during his enrollment....

A member of the audience speaks to the panel while recording the event during an International Writer Program panel held in the Iowa City Public Library on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. The panel focused on storytelling in the digital age.

Photos: International Writers Program Panel

Ethan McLaughlin, Photojournalist September 14, 2024

Writers came together in the Iowa City Public Library on Friday, Sept. 13, for a panel hosted by the International Writers Program. The panel featured four international writers: Chris Tse from New...

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...

Photo contributed by Romeo Oriogun

Ask the Author | ‘The Gathering of Bastards’ author Romeo Oriogun looks back on past work

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter May 2, 2024

Oluwasegun Romeo Oriogun is a Nigerian essayist and poet. He is an Iowa Writers’ Workshop alum, debuting his career with a collection of poems titled “Sacrament of Bodies” in 2020. Oriogun also...

Photos contributed by TJ Alexander.

Ask the Author | TJ Alexander speaks on new queer romance novel

Riley Dunn, Arts Reporter April 28, 2024

TJ Alexander is bringing new depth to the romance genre with their new novel, “Triple Sec,” set to release on June 4. The book follows bartender Mel who is convinced that real romance doesn’t...

Photo contributed by Jonathan Wells

Ask The Author | Jonathan Wells

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter January 28, 2024

Jonathan Wells is the author of three poetry collections, “Train Dance” (2011), “Debris” (2021), and “The Man with Many Pens” (2015). His poetry can be seen in The New Yorker, AGNI, Ploughshares,...