4 things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including a Summer of the Arts benefit concert

Paris Barraza, Iowa City Press-Citizen
·4 min read

Iowa City once again showcases its love for literature and local art with a book reading on Friday, a play festival on Saturday and a benefit concert on Sunday.

As Iowa City area theater companies team up to present the All in a Day, All in a Chaise Play Fest, the Summer of the Arts hosts a benefit concert in the spring.

Here are four things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including two spots for happy hour and brunch.

Visit Prairie Lights for a reading from Jordan Kisner

Prairie Lights often nabs authors who read from their works at the bookstore. Here, Sasha LaPointe reads from "Red Paint" at last year's Mission Creek Festival.
Prairie Lights often nabs authors who read from their works at the bookstore. Here, Sasha LaPointe reads from "Red Paint" at last year's Mission Creek Festival.

Friday evening: Jordan Kisner, author of the essay collection “Thin Places,” will read from her book at 7 p.m. at Prairie Lights, 15 S. Dubuque St. Kisner is a contributing writer for The Atlantic and the New York Times Magazine and is the University of Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program’s 2022 Bedell Distinguished Visiting Professor. Visit Prairie Light’s website for more information.

More:Who has the best burger in Iowa? 10 finalists across the state compete for top honors

Check out 6 brand new short plays at Iowa City Community Theatre

Saturday evening: If you enjoy the thrill of waiting until the last minute to tackle a big project, then the Iowa City Community Theatre, 4261 Oak Crest Hill Road, has just the event for you. This weekend, the theater hosts six brand new short productions created by writers, who are assigned random prompts the evening before, as part of the All in a Day Play Fest. Come Saturday, scripts are due in the morning as actors, directors, stage managers and tech crews prepare their works ahead of doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Audiences will notice that this year, each play will incorporate a chaise lounge in honor of this furniture piece appearing among set pieces across Iowa City productions over the past two decades, according to Iowa City Community Theatre. All in a Day, All in a Chaise Play Fest — as its being called this time around — is presented by Iowa City Community Theatre, Run of the Mill Theatre Productions, Willow Creek Theatre Co., Dreamwell Theatre and Riverside Theatre. Tickets are $10 at the door. Visit Iowa City Community Theatre’s Facebook page to learn more about the event.

More:Iowa City native Jeff Houghton brings his talk show 'The Mystery Hour' to the Englert

Celebrate Coralville’s history at the Coralville Public Library

Head to the Coralville Public Library for "Life and Times."
Head to the Coralville Public Library for "Life and Times."

Sunday afternoon: Coralville continues its 150th anniversary celebrations with the next event in its “Rich History Bright Future” series called “Life and Times.” From noon to 5 p.m. at the Coralville Public Library, people are invited to check out multiple exhibits including historical maps, historical boards from the Johnson County Historical Society and more. Members of the League of Women Voters wear period costumes as suffragettes to speak about the women’s vote in Iowa and attendees can participate in short interviews to share what they love about Coralville. At 3 p.m., community member Rex Brandstatter will lead a historical presentation of Coralville followed by light refreshments. The Coralville Public Library is located at 1401 Fifth St. Visit the library’s website for more details about this free event.

More:Here's what these Eastern Iowa pass-through towns have planned for RAGBRAI

Listen to local musicians as part of the Summer of the Arts fundraiser

Iowa City's own The Recliners are part of this Summer of the Arts fundraiser.
Iowa City's own The Recliners are part of this Summer of the Arts fundraiser.

Sunday afternoon: See local acts such as The Beaker Brothers, Dandelion Stompers, The Recliners, The Savage Hearts, Winterland and Dave Zollo & the Body Electric during a fundraiser for the Summer of the Arts, the nonprofit behind Iowa City’s free summertime programming events including the Iowa Arts Festival, the Iowa City Jazz Festival and Friday Night Concert Series. The 2 p.m. event at the Englert Theatre includes photos and videos from previous Summer of the Arts performances between each 20-minute set. Attendees can also participate in a silent auction featuring music-related memorabilia, art and the chance to win one free pie each month for a year from Ox Yoke Inn in Amana. Visit the Englert Theatre’s website to purchase tickets, which are $23 for general admission and $10 for students with ID. The Englert Theatre is located at 221 E. Washington St.

More:Who has the best pulled pork sandwich in Iowa? You can vote on your favorites

Eat brunch or hang with friends at happy hour in Johnson County

Saturday or Sunday morning: Enjoy brunch inside Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Venue, which was constructed with materials repurposed from historic barns and sits on the sprawling orchard and farm at 4823 Dingleberry Road N.E. On the menu are breakfast sandwiches, Belgian waffles with apples or raspberries from the orchard and Wilson’s Orchard & Farm’s apple cider doughnuts. Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday or Sunday afternoon: Hudson’s Tap, 428 Hwy 1 W. on the southwest side of Iowa City, has happy hour Sunday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. with half-priced pints, $5 glasses of wine and $6 Moscow mules.

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 Summer of the Arts show