Here are 4 things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including rock musical at Willow Creek Theatre
An Iowa City musical and a concert are showing how music can be transformative for those involved.
Willow Creek Theatre is taking audiences decades back with a production of the rock musical and cult classic "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," while young rockers are gearing up for a gig at the Englert Theatre on Saturday.
Here are four things to do this weekend in Johnson County.
‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ at Willow Creek Theatre Company
Willow Creek Theatre Co. is bringing the rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” to Iowa City on Friday.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is a musical based on a book by John Cameron Mitchell, with music by Stephen Trask. It follows Hedwig, a genderqueer East German singer of a rock ‘n' roll band who experienced a botched gender reassignment surgery. Hedwig faces a series of personal and professional obstacles as they move onward.
Director Will Asmus told the Press-Citizen that the film version of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” gave the LGBTQ community, including the transgender community, something to “latch on to” when it premiered in 2001.
In the years that followed, Asmus recognized that some may view elements of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” to be problematic, but called it a “net good show.”
“Hedwig goes on a gender journey. And I think that's something that everyone, whether they're trans or cis, everyone should go on that journey regardless, maybe to differing levels,” Asmus said. “But I feel like we're all just trying to figure ourselves out and find acceptance of ourselves, which I think is the main thing of Hedwig is finding acceptance of yourself.”
Asmus said he used to look at the rights for scripts online and came across “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” When he learned there was a film, Asmus watched it and “fell in love with it,” calling it a “beautiful” and “bizarre” story.
The musical was revived and brought to Broadway in 2014, winning four Tony awards that year.
Hedwig fans can rest assured that Willow Creek Theatre has paid close attention to the details, including the character’s iconic blonde hairdo and the lights to create the atmosphere of a rock show, Asmus said.
The director said he’s excited to bring the musical to Iowa City, explaining how the hour and a half production is structured like a rock show with “standup comedy in between.”
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" runs through July 31. Tickets are $26. Visit Willow Creek Theatre's Facebook page for more information, including purchasing tickets online.
Girls Rock! at the Englert Theatre
Seven Iowa City youth bands are jamming out at the Englert Theatre on Saturday afternoon.
The bands are from Girls Rock! Iowa City, a nonprofit that provides female, transgender and nonbinary youth music instruction to foster creativity, self-expression and self-esteem.
The nonprofit holds a weeklong day camp where campers are asked to form bands and write an original song, with volunteers available to help the young rockers in the process. These youth bands then perform their works at a showcase.
This year’s camp is from July 18-24.
The show starts at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the Englert Theatre's website.
Tiffin REC Fest 2022
Tiffin is inviting the community out for a full day of food, games and fireworks with Tiffin REC Fest, a free family-friendly event.
Food vendors include Willie Ray’s Q Shack; The Onion Shoppe; Pork and Chef; Kona Ice; Deja Brew Coffee House & Bakery; Keepin’ Up With the Jones’s; and Rodney’s Jamaican Jerk and BBQ.
Here is the full schedule:
IGYM 5k Run/walk: 8 a.m.
Zumba class: 10 a.m.
Classy Chassy Cruisers Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Food trucks start: 11 a.m.
Kids events: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Miller’s Petting Zoo
Pine Hill Farm train rides
Inflatables
Yard games
CR Face Painting
Regan’s Face Painting
Baseball activities: noon to 4 p.m.
3-point shooting contest: 3-5 p.m.
Back Berner Bags Tournament: 3 p.m.
Beer tent opens: 3 p.m.
Ace & Eights: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Fireworks: Dusk
Tiffin REC Fest will be held at Tiffin City Park, located at 809 E. Marengo Road.
Sunrise to Sunset at City Park Pool
Get your flip-flops out and your goggles on.
City Park Pool is hosting Sunrise to Sunset on Saturday, a fundraiser that benefits the Iowa City Parks & Recreation’s RecAssist Scholarship Program.
The program provides free swim lessons to children and adults in Iowa City with financial need, according to the city's website.
Lap swimming will begin at sunrise from 6:15-11 a.m. Open swim will follow until 8 p.m.
Pool admission is based on what people want to pay.
Beyond swimming, there will be yard games, arts and crafts, water safety lessons, giveaways and music.
The event ends with a free screening of Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” at 8:30 p.m. in Upper City Park as part of Summer of the Arts’ free movie series.
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 Johnson County include Tiffin festival
