Here are 5 things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including the Iowa Renaissance Festival in Amana
Bid your modern-day problems adieu and transport back in time with the Iowa Renaissance Festival this weekend.
Or, spend your Memorial Day weekend outside with live music at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm and perhaps catch a movie in the park put on by FilmScene.
Here are five things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including a pair of spots for happy hour and brunch.
Have a cup of mead at the Iowa Renaissance Festival
Saturday or Sunday afternoon: Don your best Renaissance garb at the Iowa Renaissance Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Middle Amana Community Park, 801 27th Ave. Shop for jewelry, leather goods and other handcrafted items while feasting on turkey legs, brats, funnel cakes and more. Expect sightings of royalty and the fair folk or cheer on a jousting tournament throughout the day. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids ages six through 13. The festival is free for children five and younger. Tickets can be purchased on the Iowa Renaissance Festival’s website.
Catch a classic on the big screen for free
Saturday evening: FilmScene in the Park returns with another season of free film screenings at the Chauncey Swan Park, 405 E. Washingston St. Bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy “North by Northwest” starring Cary Grant. The 1959 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock follows Roger O. Thornhill who’s been mistaken for a government agent as he flees spies and embarks a cross-country journey. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Visit FilmScene’s website for a full schedule of upcoming films part of the series, which includes Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs” and Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet.”
Enjoy music in Iowa City’s Northside
Saturday evening: Summer of the Arts’ Northside Concert Series returns with the Iowa City band The Uniphonics. The seven-member band blending jazz, funk and hip-hop formed over 15 years ago and have released multiple albums. The Uniphonics will perform from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Northside. Visit Summer of the Arts’ website for a full schedule of performances as part of the Northside Concert Series.
Celebrate Memorial Day at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
Sunday afternoon: Have a slice of pizza and enjoy free live music from The Beaker Brothers Band at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, 4823 Dingleberry Rd. N.E. The long-standing act plays homage to jam bands of the late 1960s and early 70s, including the Allman Brothers and Santana. The Memorial Day fun is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Stop by Bread Garden Market for a show
Saturday evening: While diners in Iowa City's Northside groove to The Uniphonics, Bread Garden Market will host free live music on their patio. The Nic Arp Band will perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Arp is an Iowa City songwriter and musician who is joined by four other veteran musicians. Bread Garden Market is located at 225 S. Linn St.
Eat brunch or hang with friends at happy hour in Johnson County
Friday evening: Grab a drink at the spot with the best views of Iowa City. Vue Rooftop, 328 S. Clinton St., boasts happy hour on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The specials are $2 off craft beer, craft cocktails and glasses of wine.
Sunday morning: Ox Yoke Inn at 4420 220th Trail in Amana, provides Sunday brunch, especially convenient for Iowa Renaissance Festival attendees this weekend. Previous brunch menus at the Ox Yoke Inn included Belgian waffles, breakfast potatoes, fried chicken, honey-glazed ham, kolaches, pies and all the other sweets you’d want to indulge in. Brunch is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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 a Memorial Day concert
