4 things to do this weekend in include a new play at Riverside Theatre by an Iowa graduate

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

Festivals and theater, from comedy to flowers to a musical, are on the docket for weekend fun.

Comedians Heather Land and Sarah Perry and locals such as playwright and comedian Megan Gogerty and improv-group Lady Franklyn are among the several dozen performers taking over Iowa City through Saturday. Meanwhile, Wilson’s Orchard & Farm is hosting a Tulip Festival, perfect for folks who want to take in a beautiful sight and bring home some of that beauty with them.

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

Get ready to laugh thanks at a comedy festival

Friday or Saturday evening: Floodwater Comedy Festival continues this weekend in Iowa City, presenting performers across downtown venues including ReUnion Brewery at the Pedestrian Mall, Willow Creek Theatre Company, Joystick and the Englert Theatre, among more. Catch Tennessee comedian and author of "I Ain't Doin' It" Heather Land, Chicago's Sarah Perry, — who has opened for Chris Redd, Natasha Leggero and Melissa Villaseñor — Iowa City's Travis Coltrain, Iowa improv troupe Paperback Rhino and many more. Visit Floodwater Comedy Festival's website to purchase tickets and see the full schedule of performers.

See a play set in Iowa City by a University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop graduate

An attendee opens the door to Riverside Theatre's new location on the Ped Mall during its grand opening on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. At the grand opening, "Eden Prairie, 1971" was performed in the theater.
An attendee opens the door to Riverside Theatre's new location on the Ped Mall during its grand opening on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. At the grand opening, "Eden Prairie, 1971" was performed in the theater.

Friday or Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon: “The Roommate,” by Jen Silverman, will be performed its set this weekend at Riverside Theatre. The dark comedy, directed by Nina Morrison, follows recent divorcee Sharon who posts a listing seeking a roommate. That’s when she meets Robyn, a fascinating woman who needs a place to hide and start over. Silverman is an Iowa Playwrights Workshop graduate whose plays includes “The Moors” and whose work has appeared in Vogue, The Paris Review and Literary Hub, among more. Silverman also wrote the scripted Audible original “The Miranda Obsession” which starred Rachel Brosnahan of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” singer Josh Groban and more. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The play will run through May 14. Tickets can be purchased on Riverside Theatre’s website. Riverside Theatre is located at 119 E. College St.

Snap an Instagram-worthy pic at a tulip festival

A family picks apples on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at Wilson's Apple Orchard in Iowa City, Iowa.
A family picks apples on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at Wilson's Apple Orchard in Iowa City, Iowa.

Saturday or Sunday afternoon: Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, 4823 Dingleberry Rd. N.E., is hosting Tulip Fest to celebrate the reopening of the farm’s tulip patch. Visitors can expect to see rows and rows of stunning tulips in the shades of pink, crimson and more for $5 and $20 for folks hoping to pick a bouquet to take home. Horse rides will be available for $5 on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Expect music and tractor rides during the weekend festival as well. Visit Wilson’s Orchard & Farm’s website to purchase tickets for the horse ride in advance.

Catch a musical from Iowa City Community Theatre

Friday or Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon: “Follies,” by James Goldman and music by Stephen Sondheim, will transport audiences to 1971, where a group of former showgirls reunite at a crumbling Broadway theater, reckoning with the ghosts of their younger selves and the decisions they’ve made in life in the years since. The Tony Award-winning play is directed by Josh Sazon. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. “Follies” will have a second weekend of performances starting May 5. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased on Iowa City Community Theatre’s website. The theater is located at 4261 Oak Crest Hill Rd.

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

Friday evening: Enjoy half-priced pints and signature cocktails, $3 bottles of beer and $5 mules and wine by the glass at Tin Roost from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Happy Hour also extends to food such as two for $6 sliders and $6 pretzel bites.

Saturday or Sunday morning: Dig into a cinnamon roll French toast or have barbacoa breakfast tacos topped with eggs and sriracha aioli at BlackStone in Iowa City. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. both days and is located at 503 Westbury Dr. suite 1.

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 Wilson's Orchard & Farm