Here are 5 things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including a North Liberty end-of-summer bash
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It’s the weekend before University of Iowa classes commence and the Iowa City Community School District’s school year begins.
What better way to spend the time than by soaking in some final rest and relaxation down by the Iowa River on Saturday with Amana Colonies’ Paddle the Iowa?
If you don’t have to worry about any impending loss of sleep or packing lunches, comedian and podcaster Marc Maron is also performing at the Englert Theatre, while Public Space One has a new exhibit for everyone to experience.
Here are five things to do this weekend in Johnson County.
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Marc Maron at the Englert Theatre
Standup comedian, podcaster and actor Marc Maron is performing at the Englert Theatre on Saturday.
It’s part of the comedian’s “This May Be The Last Time" tour, which features a stop in Des Moines at Hoyt Sherman Place on Friday before his Iowa City appearance.
Maron is known for his podcast "WTF with Marc Maron," which began in 2009 and has featured stars and prominent figures from Matt Damon and Kate Winslet to Jane Goodall and former President Barack Obama.
Maron has previously come to Iowa City as part of the 2016 Mission Creek Festival lineup.
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Maron started his career in standup about two decades before his podcast.
He’s had multiple comedy specials, including “End Times Fun” and “Thinky Pain” on Netflix, starred in the streaming service's show “Glow” and in his own show “Maron” that ended in 2016.
Maron's performance at the Englert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $49.50 and can be purchased online on the Englert Theatre’s website.
Summer Sendoff in North Liberty
North Liberty is saying goodbye to the season with a free community bash Saturday.
Summer Sendoff will be held at Penn Meadows Park, located at 170 N. Dubuque St., featuring live music, food and games.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., people can enjoy free inflatables, carnival games and a kickball tournament with a championship at 7:45 p.m.
Those interested can register on North Liberty’s website to join one of 12 teams.
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Marco’s Grilled Cheese, Paco’s Tacos, Pizza Ranch and Moo Moo’s Ice Cream will be at the park serving food for community members to purchase.
At 6:30 p.m., the Cedar Rapids foursome Young the Lion will perform.
After live music from Young the Lion is a firework show at 8:30 p.m. that will be launched on the south side of the park.
Visit North Liberty’s website for more information about Summer Sendoff.
Paddle the Iowa in Amana
Grab your kayaks or canoes and head to the Amana Colonies for their Paddle the Iowa event Saturday.
The four-hour aquatic event is a self-guided tour where people can start in South Amana and head down the Iowa River to Homestead.
While there isn’t a specific start time, people are suggested to get on the river around 10 a.m. and pack a lunch to enjoy along the way.
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the visitors center will run a free shuttle between South Amana and Homestead so folks can drop their kayaks and canoes off in South Amana but park their vehicles in Homestead, where they’ll finish.
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Canoe rentals will be available. Those interested should contact River Dock Canoe Rental to reserve their canoe in advance.
Paddle the Iowa is subject to weather and river conditions. Visit the Amana Colonies’ website or the Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau Facebook page to check the status of the event.
Be sure to bring your life jackets and check out safety tips on kayaking and canoeing from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources beforehand.
Dick Prall at the James Theater
Singer-songwriter Dick Prall will perform at the James Theater on Friday.
Prall, born in Iowa, released "Minus Thieves" in 2019, a 10-track album recorded at the Magic Barn in Solon.
It'll be music from that release that Prall will share with audiences at the James starting at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on the James Theater's website.
'INDIGO!' at Public Space One
The natural dye that comes from a plant and its blue color is the star of a new exhibit at Public Space One that opens Thursday and runs through early September.
“INDIGO!” showcases samples and art made by people who participated in a community indigo vat during the pandemic and is maintained by Astrid Hilger Bennett, according to PS1’s website. Bennett is an Iowa City artist also known for her involvement with the Iowa Artisans Gallery.
Vat dyeing is the container where items will be dipped to take on the color. Indigo dyeing can result in lighter shades of blue to the deep blue that often comes to mind when people think of the color.
The exhibit invites viewers to “learn about indigo’s ancient worldwide roots with a problematic, colonial history,” while exploring slow fashion and the natural dye, according to PS1’s website.
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“INDIGO!” has an opening reception on Friday from 6-8 p.m. and a community dip day on Aug. 27 from noon to 3 p.m.
The exhibit will be held at PS1’s 229 N. Gilbert St. location.
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 Marc Maron tour
