6 things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including live music at the Highlander Hotel

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

You don't need to get a room to spend an evening at the historic Highlander Hotel in Iowa City thanks to ongoing concerts, including the Tanya English Trio on Saturday, at the Supper Club.

The next evening, enjoy the 95th Academy Awards on the big screen with FilmScene's annual blue carpet bash.

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

Watch ‘Jack and the Giant Beanstalk’

Friday evening or Saturday and Sunday afternoon: Take the kids to see the classic tale of “Jack and the Giant Beanstalk,” brought to life at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, located at 1301 Fifth St., this weekend. The Young Footliters Youth Theatre performs this play, priced at $17 for adults and $15 for children. Tickets can be purchased online at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts’ website. The show starts at 7 p.m. Friday, but you can catch it at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday as well.

Make some communal art at Stanley Creates

A person walks past sculptures outside the Stanley Museum of Art on the University of Iowa campus.
A person walks past sculptures outside the Stanley Museum of Art on the University of Iowa campus.

Saturday afternoon: Be a part of a communal piece of art with the Stanley Creates: Collaborative Paper Quilt workshop at 2 p.m. People of all ages, but especially families, are invited to craft their own quilt square using paper, collage and paper-cutting techniques at the UI Stanley Museum of Art, 160 W. Burlington St. The final product will be a community-made paper quilt. Visit the Stanley Museum of Art’s website to reserve a space at this free event.

Jam out to some blues

Saturday evening: The Tanya English Trio brings classic and contemporary blues from a woman’s point of view to the Highlander Hotel at 2525 Highlander Place at 8 p.m. The Tanya English Trio has performed at Summer of the Arts as well as recently at La Wine Bar & Restaurant in Iowa City during the band's decade-long career. Visit the Highlander Hotel’s website for more information about the hotel.

Watch the Oscars in style

The Chauncey theater at FilmScene in Iowa City.
The Chauncey theater at FilmScene in Iowa City.

Sunday evening: Could "Top Gun: Maverick," directed by Marshalltown native Joseph Kosinski, win best picture? Will "Whale," the play from Iowa Playwrights Workshop grad Samuel D. Hunter and adapted into a film by him, win one of three Oscars? It’s one of Hollywood’s biggest nights Sunday evening with the 95th Academy Awards and FilmScene is making it easy to join in on the celebrations with the return of its free annual Blue Carpet Bash. Starting at 5:30 p.m., film lovers can walk the blue carpet and grab a seat to enjoy the Oscars red carpet pre-show followed by the awards at 7 p.m. Concessions will be open featuring special movie-inspired drinks, as well as macarons and chocolate chip sea salt cookies from IC Baked Goods. Just across the way, bowling alley and arcade SpareMe will offer a limited takeout menu — including $2 slices of pizza, $10 pretzel bags and $10 mac bites — that movie-goers will be allowed to bring into theaters. Seating is first come, first served. The Blue Carpet Bash will be held at FilmScene at the Chauncey at 404 E. College St. Visit FilmScene’s website for more information.

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

Bump's Restaurant, named after Chalmers "Bump" Elliott, is found in the Nagle Family Clubhouse at the Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City.
Bump's Restaurant, named after Chalmers "Bump" Elliott, is found in the Nagle Family Clubhouse at the Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City.

Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening: Marquee Pizzeria & Bar in the Iowa River Landing has daily happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. Located at 920 E. Second Ave. in suite 123, the pizzeria offers half off all beer, two-for-one wine pours, $5 Marquee Mules and $6 cheese pizza cooked in the wood-fired oven.

Sunday morning: Bump’s Restaurant at the Finkbine Golf Course at 1380 Melrose Ave. serves a hearty brunch with some fun spins on classic dishes, including breakfast poutine topped with a homemade sausage gravy, brisket breakfast tacos, and peach and cream cheese stuffed brioche French toast. Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 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 Highlander Hotel show