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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
Avi Lapchick

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor

(she/her/hers)

Avi Lapchick is an arts editor at The Daily Iowan. A fourth-year student studying English and Creative Writing at the University of Iowa, she previously held the positions of staff photojournalist, summer arts editor, and assistant arts editor at the DI. She is happiest when she is writing or painting.

All content by Avi Lapchick
Photo contributed by Avi Lapchick

Senior column | Creativity and the promise of a shrug

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
May 7, 2024
The Zeffsterr performs during The Daily Iowan Headliners in The Daily Iowan newsroom in the Adler Journalism building on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. Four groups will be featured in the series’ second season. (Emily Nyberg/The Daily Iowan)

Q&A | TheZeffsterr

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
May 2, 2024
Pictured (L-R): Natalie Shaw (Cady Heron), Kristen Amanda Smith (Gretchen Wieners), Maya Petropoulos (Regina George), and Maryrose Brendel (Karen Smith). Photo by Jenny Anderson, 2023.

Hancher announces 2024-25 Broadway series 

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
May 1, 2024
A microphone placed on the stage for the Open Mic Night at the Joystick Comedy Arcade in Iowa City on Monday, December 6, 2022.

Joystick rebrands to multi-genre entertainment venue Alley Cat

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
April 25, 2024
Bestselling author James Patterson speaks about his life and craft to Lan Samantha Chang at the Dey House on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Staff, undergraduates, and Writing Workshop students were in attendance.

Ask the Author | Author James Patterson says we shouldn’t be too worried about book banning

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
April 16, 2024
Martha Gordon practices yoga in her studio in Iowa City on Thursday April 11, 2024. Gordon has practiced yoga in Iowa City for over 20 years. (Shaely Odean/The Daily Iowan).

Mirrors, mats, and a change in mindset: How yoga shaped my life beyond the mat

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
April 16, 2024
Osees drummers Dan Rincon and Paul Quattrone plays the drum to the crowd during the Mission Creek Festival at The Englert Theatre on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Mission Creek headliner Osees delivers legendary performance Saturday night

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
April 7, 2024
North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Indigo De Souza performs at The Englert during the second day of the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Indigo De Souza draws eager fans during Iowa City Mission Creek performance

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
April 6, 2024
A message of remembrance for Chris Wiersema is seen on the marquee of the Englert Theatre in Iowa City on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Wiersema died in his sleep on March 13.

‘Thank you, Chris’ — Iowa City mourns death of music programmer

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
March 26, 2024
Kaveh Akbar speaks during a panel on Leslie Jamison’s newest novel, Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story, at Prairie Lights bookstore in Iowa City on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

Ask the Author | ‘Martyr!’ author Kaveh Akbar needs writing just as much as it needs him

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
March 5, 2024
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers opens in Burlington Township on Jan. 17.

Raising Cane’s to open in Old Capitol Town Center on UI campus

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
March 5, 2024
University of Iowa/Tim Schoon

UI searches for new vice president for research

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
February 27, 2024
Eventgoers mingle during the Big Queer Dating Show at Public Space One on Saturday, Feb. 24th, 2024, in Iowa City. (Ava Neumaier/The Daily Iowan)

Inside of Iowa City’s Big Queer Dating Show

Avi Lapchick and Isabella Nekvinda
February 27, 2024
Photo contributed by Rob Cline

Seeing the stage from both sides: Two Iowa actors to perform in ‘Hairspray’ at Hancher

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
February 20, 2024
Three last-minute gift ideas to save the date this Valentine’s Day

Three last-minute gift ideas to save the date this Valentine’s Day

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
February 13, 2024
An attendee speaks with artist Jesse Miller during a art gallery opening for formally incarcerated artists hosted by Inside Out Reentry at Public Space One in Iowa City on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Formerly incarcerated artists showcase art in Iowa City exhibit

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
February 7, 2024
February 18, 2018; Stuart, FL, USA; Paula Poundstone performs at Lyric Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Ron Elkman/USA TODAY NETWORK

Paula Poundstone on comedy, feminism, small talk, and ‘Better Call Saul’

Natalie Dunlap and Avi Lapchick
January 18, 2024
Festival-goers cheer during the fourth day of the Hinterland music festival in Saint Charles, Iowa on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2022.

Hozier, Noah Kahan to headline Hinterland Music Festival 2024

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
January 17, 2024
Callahan Morton and Callum Swanson pose for a portrait at the Voxman Music Building on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. Morton and Swanson are engaged undergraduate students studying at the University of Iowa.

How UI couples found their ‘I do’ in the classroom corridors

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
January 16, 2024
Iowa City singer Bella Moss performs at The Daily Iowan Headliners in The Daily Iowan newsroom on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Q&A | Bella Moss

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
December 12, 2023
Indigo de Souza opens for Lucy Dacus at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.

Indigo De Souza, Neko Case to headline The Englert’s Mission Creek 2024

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
December 8, 2023
Students dance during a musical theater dance class at Iowa Conservatory on Nov. 28, 2023. Iowa Conservatory opened for its inaugural year this year with classes including dance, visual arts, and singing.

Middle and high schoolers find success in new private arts school

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
December 5, 2023
Iowa City band Two Canes performs at The Daily Iowan Headliners in The Daily Iowan newsroom on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Q&A | Two Canes

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
November 28, 2023
Photo contributed by Taylor Cowdery

Ask the Author | Taylor Cowdery

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
November 16, 2023
A child skips between the middle aisle at intermission during “Oh My Gourd!” a Playmaker performance hosted by Riverside Theatre in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

Pupil playwrights: IC elementary students’ plays share the big stage

Lily Czechowicz and Avi Lapchick
November 14, 2023
John J. Waters reads a passage from his book “River City One,” at Prairie Lights bookstore in Iowa City on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

Ask the Author | John J. Waters

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
November 8, 2023
Photo by Greg Gayne/NBC, contributed by Eli Ward

Ask the Artist | Eli Ward from ‘The Voice’

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
November 6, 2023
The entrance to the Center for Afrofuturist Studies is seen at Public Space One’s Close House in Iowa City, Iowa, on Nov. 3.

Screening Black futurity in Iowa City

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
November 4, 2023
Embalming tools are seen at the Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service building in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

The dying art: Funeral preparation as a means of celebrating life

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
October 24, 2023
Photo Contributed by David Rosazza.

Shade of Blue: UI alumni band’s 30-year history

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
October 9, 2023
Stanley Museum of Art lobby is seen before the event on Sept. 22, 2023 in Iowa City. (Henry Tran/The Daily Iowan)

Stanley Museum of Art’s newest catalog takes risk to connect local art, literature

Avi Lapchick, Assistant Arts Editor
September 23, 2023
The “Hey Buddy, I’m Bill” exhibit opens in the Main Library, celebrating the life of beloved local character Bill Sackter. Special guest Barry Mannow, writer of “Rainman”, recalls his friendship with the late disabled coffeemaker on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

Award-winning screenwriter Barry Morrow visits UI Main Library gallery’s ‘Hey Buddy, I’m Bill’ exhibit

Avi Lapchick, Assistant Arts Editor
September 19, 2023
Contributed photo by Kristen-Ford

Ask the Artist | Kristen Ford

Avi Lapchick, Assistant Arts Editor
September 7, 2023
Attendees participate in a mosh pit during Battle of the Bands hosted by Scope Productions at the Iowa Memorial Union River Amphitheater on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Four different local bands competed throughout the evening and placed after attendees voted.

Two Canes triumphs in Battle of the Bands 2023

Avi Lapchick, Assistant Arts Editor
August 31, 2023
Christopher asks a trivia question during Christopher’s bar exam at Micky’s Irish Pub in Iowa City on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023.

From Andrew’s Bar Exam to Christopher’s: Local trivia event finds success

Avi Lapchick, Assistant Arts Editor
August 29, 2023
Patrons walk through booths at the Iowa City Flea Market at Public Space One Close House in Iowa City on Sunday Aug. 13, 2023.

Iowa City Flea doubles in size after year 

Stella Shipman and Avi Lapchick
August 22, 2023
Macbride Hall is seen on Saturday Feb 24, 2018. (Katie Goodale/ The Daily Iowan)

UI Pentacrest Museums acquires Iowa Wesleyan University’s natural history collection

Avi Lapchick, Assistant Arts Editor
August 21, 2023
Contributed photo by Allison Tokarski

‘Spirit Dance’ at the Stanley is a full-body experience

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
August 1, 2023
Goosetown Cafe is seen in Iowa City on Friday, July 14, 2023.

Iowa City restaurant Goosetown Cafe closes its doors for good

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
July 19, 2023
The James Theater in Iowa City on Monday, July 17 2023.

Punk-rock goes philanthropic: Iowa City artists perform in support of local charities  

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
July 18, 2023
Hancher Auditorium is seen on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

Hancher releases breakdown of new season performances

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
July 12, 2023
Contributed photo by Leslie Lehr

Ask the Author | Leslie Lehr

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
July 11, 2023
Damani Phillips plays the saxophone during the 2023 Iowa City Jazz Festival in Iowa City on Saturday, July 2, 2023.

Exploring the soul of jazz: a conversation on the culture of jazz in Iowa City

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
July 5, 2023
Adam Knight the Director of William Shakespeare’sTwelfth Night introduces attendees before the live performance of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in Iowa City on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Riverside Theatre’s production of ‘Twelfth Night’ delivers fresh perspective on Shakespearean classic

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
June 27, 2023
The Englert Theatre is seen in Iowa City on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

The Englert unveils first concert series in nearly a decade

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
June 21, 2023
Hancher announces two-week music festival to take place this fall

Hancher announces two-week music festival to take place this fall

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor
June 15, 2023
Daydrink barista Kendin Scheitlin serves a vanilla latte at their location in the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City on April 24, 2023. Schetlin, a sophomore at the University of Iowa, has worked at Daydrink for over a year.

[Photo] Daydrink Coffee to close downtown location

February 28, 2024
The Daydrink counter is seen at their location in the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City on April 24, 2023. Schetlin, a sophomore at the University of Iowa, has worked at Daydrink for over a year.

Protesters shout while blocking traffic on North Madison Street after a lecture organized by the University of Iowa Chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom for anti-trans conservative commentator Matt Walsh’s “What Is a Woman?” documentary at the Iowa Memorial Union on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Prior to the lecture, progressive students called for the lecture to be suspended because of Walsh’s transphobic remarks.

Photos: Matt Walsh visits the University of Iowa

Averi Coffee, Avi Lapchick, and Ayrton Breckenridge
April 20, 2023
Actor and writer Josh Peck visits the KRUI-FM radio station to promote his talk, Happy People are Annoying: A Conversation with Josh Peck at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City on April 18, 2023.

Photos: Happy People Are Annoying: A Conversation With Josh Peck

Avi Lapchick, Matt Sindt, and Cody Blissett
April 18, 2023
People gather on the Pentacrest in Iowa City to support the transgender community through chalk writing on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. One chalk writing reads, "If you want extreme change, you must take extreme action... you have to make people hurt," a quote from right-wing political commentator Matt Walsh who is set to deliver a speech at the Iowa Memorial Union on Wednesday.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

Photos: Kick ’em off campus: Chalk-A-Ganza

Avi Lapchick, Photojournlist
April 18, 2023
University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

[Photo] UI student organizations denounce Matt Walsh lecture

April 18, 2023
University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

University of Iowa students write with chalk on the Pentacrest in support of the transgender community on Monday evening, April 17, 2023. The event took place two days before political commentator Matt Walsh is set to arrive to Iowa’s campus.

A screenshot from video Welcome to the University of Iowa - Tippie College of Business Metaversity Campus. Credit: VictoryXR, University of Iowa (left) and a photo of the Herky statue from Ben Smith for The Daily Iowan (right). Photo illustration by Avi Lapchick.

[Photo] UI alumnus, CEO of VictoryXR Steven Grubbs reflects on his time at the university

April 19, 2023
Photo illustration

[Photo] Opinion | MLB needs to get rid of blackout restrictions

April 9, 2023
Photo illustration.

[Photo] ICCSD forms book review committee

April 18, 2023
Festival goers watch McKinley Dixon perform during the Mission Creek Festival at Gabe's in Iowa City on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Dixon is a conscious hip hop and jazz rap artist.

Photos: Mission Creek Festival Day Three

Matt Sindt, Emily Nyberg, Shuntaro Kawasaki, and Avi Lapchick
April 9, 2023
A person holds a sign that says "Disarm hate" on the Pentacrest in Iowa City, Iowa during the march for gun safety on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Photos: Gun Safety Protest

Avi Lapchick, Photojournalist
April 8, 2023
Photo illustration

Photo illustration.

The Gilbert Street bridge is seen on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

[Photo] Gilbert St. Bridge repair project start date may be delayed

Isabelle Foland, News Reporter
April 3, 2023
A fan sits after the watch party of the NCAA women’s basketball final at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, April 2, 2023. The Tigers defeated The Hawkeyes, 102-85.

Photos: NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Game watch parties in Iowa City

Cody Blissett, Averi Coffee, Avi Lapchick, and Shuntaro Kawasaki
April 2, 2023
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