The Gilded Pear Gallery is currently presenting not just one, but two artists in simultaneous solo shows. In the 2nd floor gallery, it’s “Fiber Optics” from Kristina Fjellman. The Minneapolis-based artist tells us she enjoys how your perception of her airy, 3-dimensional sculptures can change based on light, viewing angle, and even air currents in … Continue reading

Two exhibits at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art celebrate Black history and culture, from Iowa artists. “Carl Van Vechten, Man About Town” displays the photographs Van Vechten took during the Cedar Rapids native’s years observing and chronicling the musicians, actors, and writers of the Harlem Renaissance. “Freedom’s Daughters” is a collection of new paintings … Continue reading

Orchestra Iowa presents “Magical Movie Moments: John Williams” Feb. 19 and 20 at the Paramount Theatre. Tim Hankewich explains that Williams has written not just music that is great for movies, but great in and of itself. The orchestra will perform all your favorites from Star Wars, Superman, and more, along with some lesser-known gems. … Continue reading

Mirrorbox Theatre returns to in-person shows with a world premier, “Cycle Play,” Feb. 17-27 in Theatre Cedar Rapids’ Grandon Studio. Founder. Cavan Hallman is excited not just about this play, but about the recently completed capital campaign to fund a permanent space for the theatre, in Cedar Rapids’ Time Check neighborhood. Playwright Megan Tabaque and … Continue reading

The Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale has two big events in the coming weeks. Their sole fundraiser of the year, the Mardi Gras Gala, will be at the Czech Museum Feb. 26, and the Chorale pays tribute to the many composers who call, or have called Cedar Rapids home, in their next concert, March 5 at … Continue reading

The Iowa City Community Theatre returns to live, in-person performance with “The Triangle Factory Fire Project,” opening Feb. 11. Director Michelle Payne-Hinz says the play is drawn from the actual news stories and court testimony after the devastating 1911 fire in a New York City clothing factory, which resulted in increased safety standards for workers, … Continue reading

Adam Knight and Mat Smart have been friends and collaborators since college, and now they’re working together on simultaneous world premieres: the first performance of Mat’s new play, “Eden Prairie, 1971” and the debut of Riverside Theatre’s brand new performance space, in the Crescent building on the Iowa City Ped Mall. “Eden Prairie, 1971” runs … Continue reading

Zoom somehow pinned only Chad Sonka’s video and kept it up for this entire interview, so you get to see him listening thoughtfully to Dennis’s questions, instead of the picture switching between them, but Goldie B. Locks sounds like so much fun we’re not going to let that keep us from sharing the video. Goldie … Continue reading

Gems of Hope is an Eastern Iowa-based organization that provides gifts of hope and support to cancer patients and their families. “Hope Blooms” is an annual campaign that allows you to send daffodil arrangements, bulbs, or even a stuffed koala to someone whose life has been affected by cancer. Honorary chair Jen Neumann shares her … Continue reading

Craig Campbell and Priscilla Steele have collaborated throughout their life together. On Campbell Steele Gallery, Liars Theatre, not to mention three children. Now they have published a book inspired by an art installation they created for their orthodontist friend, Dr. William Olin. “The History of Orthodontics Through Time and Space follows the adventures of Buddy … Continue reading