Here are 3 things to do this weekend in Iowa City, including a dance festival
There are two festivals already happening in Iowa City, and this weekend, there will be a third.
The Iowa Dance Festival returns with three performances across Iowa City, while Oktoberfest in northside Iowa City will serve up some brew for attendees.
Whether you’re busy attending the Iowa City Book Festival, the inaugural Refocus Film Festival, a dance festival or all three, here are three more things to do this weekend in Iowa City.
17th annual Iowa Dance Festival
The Iowa Dance Festival returns with three performances across Iowa City after being on break since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presented by the nonprofit InterDance, the weekend festival began more than a decade ago after Nora Garda, InterDance executive director, visited Spain and witnessed a dance festival there.
She told the Press-Citizen she was inspired by that event, and the next year, Iowa City had a new dance festival.
Along with performers who have a studio or stage they frequent, Garda said the Iowa Dance Festival is an opportunity for performers who can’t rent a theater to do a show.
Returning performance groups come from across Iowa, including Des Moines, Ames, Iowa City and the Quad Cities. This year, two dance companies from Illinois will be participating in the festival.
“I always say that there’s not too many venues and events for dancers,” Garda said. “There is a lot that cover music and video or movies, even theater. There is not a lot on dance, in general everywhere, not only Iowa City. So, whenever there is an opportunity, people just say, ‘yes, yes, I want to be there.’”
The Iowa Dance Festival kicks off Friday at Public Space One’s Close House at 7 p.m.
The interdisciplinary, experimental installation tour invites audiences to walk through the building to see continuous, different performances, Garda said. Adorning the space is work created by visual artists, while other artists will be moving about.
“We've been including musicians and writers before and trying to create collaborations between the dancers and the musician. … But then I was thinking there are so many different pieces of moving art, so performance art, that are not necessarily dance but connect with dance very well,” Garda said.
On Saturday, a free community dance performance will be held at the Chauncey Swan Park at noon, featuring performances from Infinity Dance in Iowa City and more.
The festival will complete with an evening dance concert at the James Theater at 7 p.m. Sunday. The performance will feature professional and amateur groups from Iowa and Illinois, including Nolte Academy, the Trifecta Dance Collective and more.
The Iowa Dance Festival promotes the collaboration of dancers, choreographers and artists of other disciplines. Not only will audiences witness that collaboration, they’ll also see many dance styles showcased.
“The interesting thing of the festival is that in one place, people will see performances by many different artists, with many different backgrounds that come here from different parts of the state of Iowa, mostly,” Garda said.
The performance at Public Space One costs $10, and it's $15 for general audience tickets at the James Theater.
Visit the Iowa Dance Festival’s website for more information.
Run of the Mill presents ‘Monstersongs’
The Iowa City nonprofit theater company Run of the Mill is bringing audiences to a world of art, rock music and monsters.
“Monstersongs” follows the “journey of a child who opens a portal into the psyches of often misunderstood creatures,” according to Monstersongs’ website, complete with projections of art and different rock genres that celebrate the monsters that take the stage.
It’s written by Rob Rokicki, the composer of “the Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical," with art by David O’Neill and directed by William Asmus.
“Monstersongs” will open at 8 p.m. Friday.
Here are other dates to catch the production:
Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 at 2 p.m.
Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $15 at the door and online.
Northside Oktoberfest in Iowa City
The historic Northside Iowa City will transform into a one-day Oktoberfest on Saturday.
Celebrating 26 years, Northside Oktoberfest will include Iowa City BrewFest, a sampling event for guests who’ve purchased tickets.
So while people can walk around the festival, you’ll need a ticket if you want to try some drinks.
Tickets for Iowa City BrewFest cost $94.
This includes unlimited samples from vendors, a beer at the Outdoor Bier Hall at Northside Oktoberfest, games and more.
BrewFest participants include Big Grove Brewery, Backpocket Brewery, Millstream Brewing Co., Iowa Brewing Co., Peace Tree Brewing Co., Firetrucker Brewery, Confluence Brewing Co. and Wild Culture Kombucha.
From noon to 8 p.m., folks can visit the Northside Oktoberfest Outdoor Bier Hall and purchase a $15 mug. The mug comes with a beer, and from there, folks can purchase more beer and wine at Northside Iowa City businesses to take with them while they enjoy live music and festivities at Oktoberfest.
Performers include Barefoot Becky and Czech Plus Band. There are also brat-eating and stein-holding contests, and more.
Just an hour before, the Iowa City BrewFest and the kids event SodaFest commences. For $5, kids can try samples of soda — in a specialty soda-tasting glass — in the Pagliai’s parking lot.
Presented by the Iowa Children’s Museum, there will also be pumpkin-decorating, inflatables and more.
Visit the Iowa City Downtown District’s website for a schedule of activities, Iowa City BrewFest participating vendors and to buy tickets.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or (319) 519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Things to do this weekend in Iowa City include Iowa Dance Festival
