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Ariana Lessard

Ariana Lessard, Assistant Arts Editor

(she/her/hers)

Ari Lessard is the Assistant Arts Editor at The Daily Iowan. She is a sophomore at the University of Iowa majoring in journalism and English/creative writing. Previously, she was an arts reporter for the DI.

All content by Ari Lessard
Hazel Sanchez-Belle performs during Big Grove Drag Brunch in Iowa City on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. Hazel said it’s important for children to be exposed to drag queens, and they are happy the brunch does that. “…its exposing them to something that doesnt need to be hidden.”

[Video] Drag queen Hazel Sanchez-Belle leads Iowa City drag scene with scintillating brunches

September 13, 2022
Ask the Author | Michelle Huneven

Ask the Author | Michelle Huneven

August 30, 2022
The International Writing Program 55th Anniversary exhibit is seen at the Main Library in Iowa City on Aug. 29, 2022.

UI’s International Writing Program celebrates 55th anniversary with new exhibit at Main Library

August 30, 2022
Contributed by Stephanie Rene Mendoza, associate director of publicity.

Ask the Author | Jean Thompson

August 23, 2022
Beyonce, Lemonade (April 23, 2016): An HBO movie with the same name premiered along with Beyonc s Lemonade album, her sixth. Hits include Hold Up. USP ENTERTAINMENT: 59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS E ENT USA CA

Beyonce’s new album ‘Renaissance’ celebrates life

July 31, 2022
aaronlurth

Davenport museum adds UI alum’s work to permanent collection

July 28, 2022
Beach Bunnys Lili Trifilio sings at the Englert Theatre as part of the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City on Friday, April 8, 2022.

Mission Creek headliner Beach Bunny releases new album, ‘Emotional Creature’

July 24, 2022
Lizzo tops the USA TODAY Network year-end music survey with her Cuz I Love You album. Lizzo Cuz I Love You

Lizzo discusses her sexuality in newest album, ‘Special’

July 17, 2022
Feb 28, 2010; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; Neil Young performs for fans and athletes during the Closing Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Guy Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Neil Young and Crazy Horse release new album ‘Toast’ after being shelved for over 20 years

July 10, 2022
Contributed photo of author Katie Runde.

Author Katie Runde’s debut novel ‘The Shore’ explores class and loss on the coast of New Jersey

July 7, 2022
May 14, 2022; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; singer Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons performs at the LoveLoud Festival.

Imagine Dragons gifts fans with newest album, ‘Mercury, Act 2’

July 3, 2022
An electronic sign of Paris is Burning is seen at Filmscene’s Chauncey location on June 16, 2022.

FilmScene determined to provide LGBTQ youth with safe space after Pride Month

June 28, 2022
Conan Gray’s third-ever album, ‘Superache’ is an emotional masterpiece

Conan Gray’s third-ever album, ‘Superache’ is an emotional masterpiece

June 26, 2022
Recording artist Logic aka Sir Robert Bryson Hall II performs at the Okeechobee Music Festival. Mandatory Credit: Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Wire via USA TODAY NETWORK

Logic’s newest album ‘Vinyl Days’ includes thirty tracks, and even more talent

June 21, 2022
Carrie Underwood poses for a portrait in advance of her Denim and Rhinestones Experience exhibition at The Historic Bell Tower in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Carrie Underwood released her new album ‘Denim & Rhinestones’ last Friday, June 10

June 16, 2022
Contributed photo of Kieron Dwayne Sargeant teaching teaching Intro to African Caribbean Dance Practices.

Kieron Dwayne Sargeant visits UI dance department as Grant Wood Fellow

June 14, 2022
Post Malone performs at Gila River Arena in Glendale on Nov 8, 2019.

Post Malone returns for first time since 2019 with new album, ‘Twelve Carat Toothache’

June 12, 2022
Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s new album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ beautifully balances being personal and relatable to a mass audience

Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s new album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ beautifully balances being personal and relatable to a mass audience

May 18, 2022
Contributed.

Ask the Author: Robin Hemley

May 12, 2022
Jack Harlows ‘Come Home the Kids Miss You’ could be album of the summer

Jack Harlow’s ‘Come Home the Kids Miss You’ could be album of the summer

May 8, 2022
University of Iowa Workshop Alumn T.C. Boyle poses for a portrait on the Iowa Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City, Iowa on May 4, 2022.

Internationally acclaimed author and Iowa Writers’ Workshop alum T.C. Boyle to return to Iowa City

May 4, 2022
Illustration by Molly Milder.

Former UI visiting professor finds success in freelance writing

May 3, 2022
Contributed.

Ask the Author: Jennifer Fawcett

April 26, 2022
The 2022 EPX Gaming Con is shown at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

EPX Con 2022 brings speakers from Blizzard, Epic Games, and Pixar Animation Studio

April 24, 2022
Author and Associate Professor Melissa Febos poses for a portrait in the English Philosophy Building at the University of Iowa on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

Ask the Author: Melissa Febos

April 19, 2022
Son Lux plays at the Englert Theatre as part of the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City on Friday, April 8, 2022.

New York band Son Lux plays with the senses through experimental sound

April 14, 2022
Author and Assistant Professor Donika Kelly poses for a portrait in the English Philosophy Building at the University of Iowa on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

UI English professor Donika Kelly receives Anisfield-Wolf Award for poetry book ‘The Renunciations’

April 13, 2022
Graduate student and costume designer Abigail Coleman poses for a portrait in the costume storage room in the Old Museum of Art on Sunday, April 10, 2022.

Student Spotlight: UI student creative mastermind behind ‘String’ costuming

April 12, 2022
Beach Bunnys Lili Trifilio sings at the Englert Theatre as part of the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City on Friday, April 8, 2022.

Mission Creek Festival returns to rock Iowa City

April 10, 2022
Joshua Henderson, a violinist who is the Grant Wood Artist in Residence at the University of Iowa, poses for a portrait in the Voxman Music Building on Monday, March 28, 2022.

Grant Wood Artist in Residence, violinist Josh Henderson to present premiere of Iowa-inspired multidisciplinary work

April 3, 2022
Ask the Author: Renee Branum

Ask the Author: Renee Branum

March 29, 2022
The Iowa City community is invited to a Blue Bash Oscars event where they can indulge n food, play games, and watch the Oscars at Filmsence in Iowa City on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

FilmScene’s Blue Carpet Bash brought film lovers together to celebrate the Oscars

March 27, 2022
Contributed.

Painting and drawing UI alum opens exhibition at National Indo-American Museum

March 10, 2022
Contributed.

Hancher to honor Aretha Franklin with multi-artist tribute performance

March 8, 2022
Feb 28, 2010; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; Avril Lavigne performs during the Closing Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics at BC Place.

Avril Lavigne’s ‘Love Sux’ brings early 2000s sound to 2022

March 1, 2022
The outside of the James Theatre is seen on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.

The James theater opens in Riverside’s old space

February 20, 2022
Contributed.

Ask the Author: Erin Young

February 8, 2022
Contributed photo from Hancher.

Hancher’s ‘An Officer and A Gentleman’ delivers almost everything you could want in a musical

January 20, 2022
Feb. 19THE LUMINEERS: 7 p.m., Bridgestone Arena, $29-$105 Bonnaroo D4 Nelles 061619 006

The Lumineers’ newest album ‘Brightside’ will brighten your week

January 17, 2022
Ask the Author: Nickolas Butler

Ask the Author: Nickolas Butler

December 13, 2021
Adele releases new album, ‘30’

Adele releases new album, ‘30’

November 28, 2021
The new club Roxxy is shown in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

New bar Roxxy opens in downtown Iowa City

November 16, 2021
ABBA is back with their new album, Voyage

ABBA is back with their new album, ‘Voyage’

November 10, 2021
Photo Illustration by Grace Smith.

How UI creative writers are celebrating National Novel Writing Month

November 7, 2021
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