I know how much readers of my blog like Arts & Crafts shows. There's always an enormous amount of traffic whenever I write posts about them. This weekend - ALL weekend - we all have another opportunity to find that perfect gift for that special someone at the Iowa City Eastside Artist Holiday Show & Sale. "Local Art from Hand and Heart." Cool slogan, don't you think? Apart from this being the perfect opportunity to find a unique gift, this is also an opportunity to support local artists in the season of sharing and caring. Schedule for Iowa City Eastside Artist Holiday Show & Sale Friday December 9, 10.00am - 8.00pm  Saturday December 10, 10.00am - 5.00pm Sunday December 11, 10.00am - 5.00pm   Where? At the Iowa City Masonic Lodge #4, 312 E College St, Iowa City (Click the link for dire... 12/09/2011

Annual Puppet Festival Saturday October 29, 2011 10.15am - 1.15pm at the Iowa City Public Library There's so much going on this Halloween weekend it's hard to choose what to write about! As it happens I'm a sucker when it comes to puppet shows so this one was a no brainer for me. Some of my favorite memories involve watching my two boys enraptured faces as they watched puppet shows in Germany. They're pretty popular over there and we went to A LOT of them. Popo's Puppet Festival is this Saturday in Meeting Room A at the ICPL Here's a full schedule of performances  10:15-10:45: "Shiver Me Timbers: A Pirates Tale with Kidspectacular11:00-11:30: "Popo's Spooky Fun" with Deanne Wortman and Dave Panther11:30-11:45: Giant Puppet and Pickle Bucket Band Parade11:45-12:15: Full Moon Puppet Show'... 10/26/2011

Halloween Weekend is coming up. Here are links to some of the popular venues in downtown Iowa City for live entertainment and good food... With a couple of them vying for the position of pulling the best draft beer in town. I'm a Guiness gal myself. (Which I'm guessing won't come as a surprise to anyone reading this who knows anything about me). The Mill has its annual Halloween Cover Show at 9.00pm Friday October 28. The idea is that local bands play music from great bands of the past. On Saturday October 29 Wyle Nept will be playing original Celtic pub tunes. The Blue Moose Tap House has a full program for Halloween weekend. MayDay kicks it off on Friday October 28 at 5.30pm. The band Lydia will also be playing on Friday. Saturday October 29 it's the Middleleagers from Mars and Sunday... 10/26/2011

Halloween Parade and Carnival, Iowa City, October 28, 2011 - 6.00pm - 8.00pm It's everyone's favorite time of the year again. Children and their parents and caregivers can get ready for a fun time organized by the Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department at this year's Halloween Parade and Carnival. The fun kicks off Friday October 28 between 6.00pm - 6.15pm. That's when children and their caregivers meet at the Weatherdance Fountain in Iowa City for the parade to the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center. At 6:15pm the parade begins with the route heading east on College Street to the Recreation Center. After the parade the fun continues at the Recreation Center until 8.00pm with Halloween themed activities including cookie decorating, crafts, face painting, dancing and much more. T... 10/25/2011

One of the highlights of the summer in downtown Iowa City this 4th of July weekend is upon us - Iowa City Jazz Festival. The Main Stage is in front of the Old Capitol and performances start there at 4.30 pm Friday. The final performance will be at 8.00 pm on Sunday and right after that at 9.45 pm you can make your way to Hubbard Park for the 4th of July Fireworks that will be launched from Hubbard Park. (Yes, the 4th of July Firework Display is scheduled for July 3 - Make sure you don't miss it!)While you're listening to all the good music you're going to need sustenance. Vendors on Culinary Row will provide cuisine from around the world. They'll be set up along Iowa Ave. John's JazzFest Beer Tent offers a great view of the Main Stage. And to round it off and make it a truly family affa... 07/01/2011

It's the Iowa Arts Festival Weekend in Iowa City this weekend. One of the big events of the year. Anyone want to lay any bets on it staying dry? (I'm sure not holding my breath). Iowa City offers wonderful community events throughout the summer with the Summer of the Arts Initiative. We're off to a pretty wet start to Summer of the Arts this year, but we won't let that stop us. It's such a great way for the community to come together and enjoy the outdoors with Free, Family Friendly Fun. Schedule for Iowa Arts Festival June 3, 2011 - June 5, 2011 Friday kicks off at 4.00pm when Culinary Row opens. Entertainment for the evening starts on the Main Stage @ 7.00pm with Crooked Still. Followed at 9.00pm by Joe Ely Saturday, June 4 kicks off at 10.00am with the ART FAIR with over 125 fine art... 06/03/2011

Summer is a wonderful time to be in Iowa City. There is so much to do with the Summer of the Arts non-profit organization providing a collaborative environment for the community to promote the Arts in Iowa City. Iowa City is a busy little town so there are things to do all year, but it's so much more fun when we can take it all outside! The Friday Night Concert Series and Downtown Saturday Night are both in full swing as we head into the Memorial Day Weekend - The unofficial kick-off to summer. Tonight, (May 27), David Zollo and The Body Electric will be performing. Tomorrow, (May 28), it's Mutiny in the Parlor. Where? Downtown Iowa City, at the Ped Mall. The kids can play at the playground while you enjoy the music. And it's FREE too. You can't do better than that! When? Friday May 27,... 05/27/2011