Summer in Iowa City
Follow the Hancher Interns on our adventures throughout the summer in Iowa City before the rest of our peers return for the school year. Lots of art, music, theater, reading, and other assorted goodies. Enjoy!
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Twice a week, the Chauncey Swan parking ramp transforms into a bustling forum filled with local flavor – literally. The Iowa City Farmers Market, held every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning, attracts dozens of local farmers, bakers and artisans to the downtown Iowa City locale to share their wares with the public. The result is a colorful event that brings producers and consumers together for a mutually beneficial (and often extremely appetizing) experience.
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On Sunday my friend and I were able to squeeze into the last two seats in the house for the final performance of I Do, I Do! the musical written by Tom Jones with music by Harvey Schmidt and the third play presented as part of the University Theatre Department’s Iowa Summer Repertory. The Effect of Gama Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds by Paul Zindel – say that three times fast – and Lost In Yonkers by Neil Simon were also part of the summer line-up.
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Pennyhawk Release Show - Pennyhawk by Ames247 on Flickr.
This afternoon, KRUI was graced with the presence of the lovely ladies from Pennyhawk, an Ames band that played a show at the Mill this evening. They are a talented bunch, and fortunately, they aren’t strangers to Iowa City. If you get a chance check them out, and if you already know (and love) them, you’re ahead of the game! Feel free to drop your favorite song in our ask box! I’m curious to see what you guys are into!
-Megan -
<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/ames247/5726839597/” title=”Pennyhawk Release Show - Pennyhawk by Ames247, on Flickr”><img src=”http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5726839597_1be66800c1.jpg” width=”500” height=”335” alt=”Pennyhawk Release Show - Pennyhawk”></a>
This afternoon, KRUI was graced with the presence of the lovely ladies from Pennyhawk, an Ames band that played a show at the Mill this evening. They are a talented bunch, and fortunately, they aren’t strangers to Iowa City. If you get a chance check them out, and if you already know (and love) them, you’re ahead of the game! Feel free to drop your favorite song in our ask box! I’m curious to see what you guys are into!
-Megan
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Amelia: This summer has been about translated literature for me.
I recently finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, the last page-turning thriller in the Millennium trilogy by Swedish author, Stieg Larsson. One disclaimer I will make is that this trilogy is not for the squeamish. Although the final book is not quite as graphic, Larsson makes it clear that he is not afraid of a little blood, gore and discomfort. I do not want to reveal too much of the plot so suffice it to say that Lisbeth Salander, the trilogy’s unconventional heroine, is finally able to take her revenge; leaving her enemies literally and figuratively immobile with surprise. Although Larsson’s writing is not spectacular, the characters and plot always draw me in and I never cease to be amazed by the amount of research and care that has so clearly gone into writing each installment of the story. The long, impossible-to-pronounce Swedish names keep any reader on their toes as well.
I am currently enjoying The Angel’s Game by acclaimed Spanish author, Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The book, which serves as a prequel to Zafón’s first novel, The Shadow of the Wind, tells the story of a young writer, David Martin, struggling to make a name for himself in the literary circles of Barcelona, Spain. A mysterious figure approaches the down-and-out author with a strange request: write a new religion. Zafón capitalizes on this plot twist, offering intriguing insight into the ideologies of religion, and the politics of society, sprinkled with breathtaking descriptions of the Barcelona cityscape. The Angel’s Game is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story and a little magical realism!
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x-scape no. 4 by Julia Kottal
I went to the Chait Galleries and the Iowa Artisan’s Gallery last week to check up on some of the art that’s new in Iowa City. To my surprise and delight, I found a plethora of local art on display. Normally, I make a point to buy and eat local food, but I didn’t know much about the local art scene here.
The Iowa Artisan’s Gallery in particular is currently boasting lots of local art. I took a look at the a few paintings by Julia Kottal, whose work was on display at the Artisan’s Gallery for several weeks. Her paintings were thickly painted, abstract landscapes that I feel focused on the blues and greens of nature. Her paintings retain some natural order of landscapes, but take on a life of their own with a layer of the artist’s perspective added into the mix. You can check out more of Kottal’s work and learn about her artist’s statement at http://www.juliakottal.com/.
Another artist whose work struck me is Marcia Wegman. She works in medium to soft pastels and focuses on Midwestern landscapes as well. Personally, I find pastels difficult to work with sometimes. They can be tough to blend and require immense skill from the artist to make them effective. On the Iowa Artisan’s Gallery website, it says that Wegman prefers to use pastels because of their immediacy and directness. They help to capture the light as it moves across landscape. I can’t help to compare Wegman to traditional Impressionists, who had similar goals in capturing light on land. I applaud Wegman for her innovative material choice and breathtaking skill at capturing the natural beauty of Iowa.
Originally, I am from Pennsylvania, and the surroundings that I grew up with are very different than Iowa landscapes. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate it more, but Wegman’s work has inspired me to look for the beauty in Iowa because it is definitely there!
If you want to learn more about Marcia Wegman, check out: http://www.iowa-artisans-gallery.com/artists/2d/marciawegman.html. And a huge thanks to both of these phenomenal artists!
Iowa Farm in Summer by Marcia Wegman
Post by Julia
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Patrick DuLaney as “Launce” and Big Red as “Crab” the dog in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Christopher Peltier as “Richard” and Kelly Gibson as “Muriel” in Ah, Wilderness!
Photos courtesy of Riverside Theatre at riversidetheatre.org.
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In the downright sticky days of Iowa City midsummer, it seems counterintuitive to attend any event, night or day, that does not include air conditioning. Add the complex language of a Shakespeare play with luxurious, heavy costumes and hot stage lights and those of a weaker constitution might flee to the cool, chlorine filled waters of the local indoor pool. However, the weather cannot deter die-hard theatre fans from getting our fix of outdoor drama. Thus I found myself at the Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival over the 4th of July weekend, eagerly watching Shakespeare’s words come to life onstage while valiantly staving off the continuous trickle of sweat threatening to obscure my vision.
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Megan: I’m currently in the throws of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I have to say, I probably should’ve read it long before now, but better late than never, right? Hitchhiker’s is equal parts sci-fi, humor, and absurdity. The Douglas Adams characters (from oddball Ford Prefect and reluctant galactic adventurer Arthur Dent to the easily irritated, painfully poetic Vogons) are so well crafted that you’re thrust into the trials and tribulations of interstellar travel immediately. This is certainly an excellent read, and a must for any sci-fi nerd.
P.S. Doctor Who fans: Did you know that Douglas Adams used to work for DW? (Of course you did). The Christmas Special “Voyage of the Damned” was based on one of his ideas! Space Titanic!
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Julia: I recently finished a rather dark summer read: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides. The book is about five sisters who live in Michigan, and within one year they all commit suicide. Although the book’s premise is depressing, the way Eugenides writes made me unable to put the book down. He writes from a collective narrator’s point-of-view “we,” as the neighborhood, and the boys within it, watch the demise of the five sisters. One of my best friends who recently graduated from Iowa with a creative writing degree, said that this is the book that made her want to become a writer. This is the book for people who want a quick, but unique read for the summer! -
Vanessa: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the beautifully crafted second novel of New York-based author Jonathan Safran Foer, takes one of our nation’s most tragic moments and turns it into a touching story of hope and healing. Nine-year-old wunderkind Oskar Schell has lost his father in the World Trade Center attacks of September 11th, and, in an attempt to gain closure, embarks on a journey across New York City to find the lock that matches a mysterious key he discovered in his father’s closet. Safran Foer’s voice is unique, inventive and original, making this award-winning novel one of the best I’ve read in years - it is truly a must-read for anyone looking for an unconventially emotional story.
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by Julia
Last weekend was the first Jazz Fest I’d ever attended. Most locals have been countless times, starting at a young age. But to fresh eyes, the transformation of downtown Iowa City was magical. In case you missed it, here are some of my favorite photos from Jazz Fest on July 3rd.
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It was a dreary day in Iowa City, but the Ped Mall was brightened by the colorful array of fabrics, pottery and photography on display at Art + Craft, a festival held last Saturday that showcased the work of artists and craft enthusiasts from the Iowa City area.
Though it was modest in size, Art + Craft boasted several intriguing booths. One was full of dozens of handmade knitted items, including everything from scarves to infant attire, while another was brimming with beautifully glazed ceramic mugs and plates. The largest booth, however, belonged to Dirty Birdies Vintage, a company started by two sisters from Iowa who collect and sell antique clothing and home décor. As I perused their large selection of eclectic items, I found myself longing to buy nearly everything I saw. “Why yes, I would like that vintage floral suitcase… and I could definitely use that wall decoration shaped like the United States, too.” Despite my adoration for all of their merchandise, I settled for an adorable antique coffee mug – I didn’t want to leave empty-handed, of course.
Events like Art + Craft make me proud to live in Iowa City. It’s not everywhere that a knitter, potter or antique collector can display their wares in a highly visible setting, with the option of earning a little money while they’re at it. Art + Craft is proof that the Iowa City community truly appreciates art of all kinds, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to share in and foster this appreciation as well.
-Vanessa
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by Julia
Summer 2011 has been chockfull of sunshine and rain so far, and that only makes me think of one thing: rainbows! Who else checked out IC pride on June 18? The parade was awesome, even despite the picketers. There was delicious food, smiling faces, and lots of color! Here are some of my favorite photos:
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Greetings! Glad you made your way to the Summer in Iowa City blog, brought to you by the Hancher Intern Team. We’re excited to spill the details of our summer adventures onto the pages of this blog.
Have any questions for us? Need some suggestions for good shows, plays, events, or just some excellent coffee? Hop on over to the Ask page and go for it.
In the meantime, here’s a most excellent picture. It uses the tilt-shift technique to make real objects look like toys. Check it out!
This image is brought to you via the amazing work of cloudsoup, who was kind enough to license this with Creative Commons. I know what I’ll be trying with my photos this summer!
-Megan
